Speaking — Akil Bello

Notable Engagements

Harvard Strategic Data Project

Plenary on whether testing aids or obstructs justice in education, Center for Education Policy Research (2024)

African American Policy Forum

Sessions on the history and state of curriculum and testing, hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw (2024)

Gates Foundation

Private briefings on admissions policy and affirmative action for foundation leadership (2023–2024)

Amazon

Keynote on equity and access in hiring for the Talent Acquisition Division's Diversity Learning Weeks (2021)

"One of the best DEI sessions I've ever been to."

Mercy University All Hands Meeting

Keynote address to the entire university community (2024)

"Huge thanks to Akil Bello for an inspiring and hilarious talk." — President Susan Parish

The Masters School & Rye Country Day School

Joint Social Justice Saturday keynote on equity and access in admissions (2023)

"You were outstanding and folks are still raving about you." — Ali Morgan, Rye Country Day

Sidwell Friends School

Presentation to school leadership on high school admissions testing at one of Washington D.C.'s most prominent private schools

GMAC

Invited to present at the test maker's own conference on the design and use of the GMAT (2010)

Ideas + Themes

Organized by theme.

Each category represents a cluster of talks — keynotes, workshops, and briefings — delivered to audiences ranging from university administrators to Fortune 500 executives to public school parents.

Merit, Measurement & Meaning

What are tests actually measuring?

I gave a room of 200 college admissions professionals 60 seconds to answer an ACT question. One person got it. "How many of you decided not to do it? And if you had your hand up and you work in a college — think about that." The point isn't that the test is hard. It's that we have to think about the metrics we're using to determine whether someone is qualified to try to learn.

Precision or Deception: What Are Tests Really Measuring?Lectures on Tap · 2026

Is Testing an Aid or Obstacle to Justice?Harvard SDP · 2024

Metrics, Merit and OpportunityColumbia Teachers College · 2023

Shattering the Status QuoOACAC · 2023

Admissions, Rankings & Institutional Choice

What actually makes a good college?

"Graduation rate I think is a terrible statistic because the way it's calculated is terrible." Transfer success counts too. Add it back in and a very different picture emerges. "You know what makes it really hard to graduate college? Being poor. So of course this chart makes sense — it's essentially arranged by the money of the students who get in."

What's a Good School?Lectures on Tap · 2026

Rankings, Ratings, and RecruitingAmazon · 2021

The Highway to Higher EducationNJACAC · 2025

The State of Admission TestingNEBHE · 2024

Access, Opportunity & Equity

Who gets in, who succeeds, who gets written off?

"It's really bizarre to me when certain test writers tell you a test they took in 11th grade is predictive of their results in college 6, 7 years later — but go ahead and ignore financial aid along the way. How does that make any sense?" The same policies that promise to open doors often function as gatekeepers.

The Spirit of EquityNYSACAC · 2023

Action, Advocacy, and ExcellenceIACAC · 2019

Structural Racism in MediaAAPF · 2024

Reflecting, Reacting, Moving ForwardAPACS · 2024

Policy, Systems & Better Decision-Making

Closing the gap between policy promise and student reality.

"Higher ed is absolutely worth it. But it's not worth it at any cost." For institutional leaders, policymakers, and foundations responsible for systems that shape access — evidence-based, implementation-aware, and unsparing about what the data actually shows.

Private admissions policy briefingsGates Foundation · 2023–24

Is Testing an Aid or Obstacle to Justice?Harvard SDP · 2024

The Purpose of Higher EducationMercy University · 2024

State of Admission Testing — Legislative BriefingNEBHE · 2024

Families, Students & Practical Navigation

Finding the right college without the mythology.

"Don't hyperfocus on one brand. College is a waystation along the way — it's not the be-all end-all of existence." Practical guidance for families on tests, admissions, rankings, and financial aid. For the vast majority of students, finding a college that will admit them is as easy as finding a good restaurant in New York City.

What's a Good School? How to Choose WellLectures on Tap

Understanding Tests, Scores, and What They MeanJack and Jill · YMCA · A Better Chance

College Access and FAFSA CompletionSUNY / NYC Public Schools

Testing & Assessment

Where the arguments are data — and where they're marketing.

I have taken five versions of the SAT, three versions of the SHSAT, the GMAT, GRE, and two versions of the LSAT — "sport testing," registering for and taking official admission tests for research, not to get into school. I know where the arguments are data, and where they're marketing.

Test Optional — Myths, Realities, PolicyMultiple venues

The Design and Use of the GMATGMAC · 2010

Two Key Questions About HS Admissions TestingNYC Council

Precision or Deception?Lectures on Tap · 2026

What Audiences Say

Akil Bello at Lectures on Tap, Brooklyn, April 2026

"I did not want any more time to pass without applauding and sending you your flowers. Your presentation was stellar, engaging, and just damn good."

Kimberly Taylor-Benns, Ed.D. AVP and Dean for Enrollment Management · Lectures on Tap · Brooklyn · April 2026

"Everyone agreed you were the best and most engaging keynote speaker we've seen."

Melodie BakerJust Equations

"Thank you for an incredible and inspiring conversation! You will be receiving an influx of emails of institutions wanting to grab you up for a talk."

Edith Perez-MontanezAssistant Director of CSTEP

"I have been following his work for years and always knew we would resonate with the incredible staff and faculty at Mercy. Boy, did he deliver."

Adam CastroMercy University

Event	Date	Location
NYSACAC	June 2026	Rochester, NY
NACAC	October 8–10, 2026	Minneapolis, MN
Lectures on Tap	July 23, 2026 (tentative)	Brooklyn, NY

Ideas worth
bringing into the room.

Organized by theme.

On the calendar.

Ready to book?