Hi, I’m GRACI!
Inspirational public Speaker & best-selling Author
International, inspirational speaker and best-selling author inspiring all of us to rise through adversity, live authentically, and foster belonging.
Rising through adversity
International, inspirational public speaker and best-selling author, rising through adversity, living and leading authentically, fostering belonging.
Most of us are on a journey most others of us know nothing about. I know how challenging it can be to move forward when we can’t see the finish line. When the finish line seems daunting, all we have to do is just take one step. One step at a time.
When we are our authentic selves, living and leading our purpose, our power is limitless.
My Story
I was born in a mud hut in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, amidst civil unrest. After having a life expectancy of 12-24 hours, I was adopted by an American missionary family. Divine intervention gave me the opportunity to not just survive, but thrive. Moving to a homogenous area in the United States, while hiding my identity, I struggled to fit in and feel accepted in the world around me.
I wasted so much energy seeking the approval and acceptance of others. I learned belonging doesn’t mean assimilating to other’s expectations. Belonging means accepting and loving yourself for who you are.
My BIO
Graci Harkema is an international, inspirational public speaker and best-selling author of her memoir, Rising: From a Mud Hut to the Boardroom—and Back Again. She works with Fortune 500 corporations to small organizations on learning and organizational development, belonging, wellbeing, and leadership development. She has been featured and published in global media outlets including Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and NBC. Crain's Grand Rapids Business has recognized Harkema as a two-time 40 Under Forty Business Leader in West Michigan, one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan, and five-time 200 Most Influential Business Leaders in West Michigan. A graduate in communications from Grand Valley State University, Harkema enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering with local boards and organizations. Harkema lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her dog, Teddy Roosevelt.
My Credentials
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, emphasis on Public Relations, Grand Valley State University
10 years of corporate experience in inclusion, belonging, organizational development, learning and development, and leadership development.
10 years of experience in employee experience, corporate communications, client relations, stakeholder engagement, and community engagement.
Business Awards from Crain’s Grand Rapids Business:
2025 - Michigan Inspiring Leaders by Corp! Magazine
2024 - 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders of West Michigan
2023 - 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders of West Michigan
2022 - 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan
2022 - 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders of West Michigan
2021 - 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders of West Michigan
2020 - 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders of West Michigan
2020 - 40 Under Forty Business Leaders of West Michigan
2015 - 40 Under Forty Business Leaders of West Michigan
RISING
From a Mud Hut to the Boardroom—
and Back Again
In this astonishing memoir, Graci Harkema revisits her experience growing up as an adoptee from the Congo in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She traces her path to claiming and living her own story, becoming a successful consultant on inclusion, belonging, and leadership, and overcoming adversity.
Hardcover, eBook & audiobook available now wherever books are sold!
