Caleb is a Master of Reading and the world’s youngest motivational speaker!
Do you know how old you were when you said your first word?
How about when you formed your first full sentence? 🤔
Well, most kids are still learning to speak in full sentences when they’re 3-4 years old. But Caleb Stewart was already giving amazing, inspiring speeches when he was just 3!
Caleb, from Tallahassee, Florida, USA, became the youngest motivational speaker at only 3 years and 307 days old. He gave his very first speech at ALARM International Church, where he talked about how important it is to believe in yourself.
Now 11 years old, Caleb still remembers that special moment…
“Everyone stood up for me and I felt proud of myself,” he told us. “It felt really good to see how I made an impact and inspired everyone!”
After that first amazing speech, Caleb didn’t stop there!
He kept talking to schools, churches, and community groups about his big, big ideas such as believing in yourself, dreaming big, but also how important it is to read books. 🤓
His second speech was at Raa Middle School, where he was a keynote speaker at a teacher training event. Caleb even stood on a table to talk to the staff about the importance and benefits of reading and making your dreams come true.
A video of that moment went viral!
And ever since those first few speeches, his mission has stayed the same: encouraging kids to read, have confidence in their abilities, and work hard on their goals.
His advice to other young people, like you? “Find something you are good at and work hard at it.”
Can you think of something that you’re good at? Explore your talents! 🤸
Caleb writes his own speeches by picking a topic, breaking his thoughts into parts, then putting them together to study.
His key recommendations for a great speech are:
“Be confident, be calm, and if you mess up, keep going. Speak loud and clear.”
Caleb got the name “Master Caleb” from an elder at his church, who called him the “Master of Reading” because he learned to read when he was just 2 YEARS OLD! 🧠
He explains: “Just like a Master Gardener or a Master Chef, I am a Master Reader!”
Caleb loves books and he says he “reads at every opportunity he gets”.
Do you like reading? What’s your favourite book?
When he was 7, he read an article about how many kids weren’t reading well, and he wanted to help.
So, he started Master Caleb's Discovery Library – a pop-up non-profit library where he gives away books from his own collection, plus other learning tools, to kids in his community!
How cool is that?!
He said: “If I can do it, they can do it too!”
Caleb’s family always supports and inspires him. His favourite speaker to listen to is his uncle, Bishop Alvin Stewart, and the person who inspires him the most is his grandmother, Valerie – or Mema! 👵🏽
She helps him with his speeches and schoolwork.
“I am home schooled,” Caleb explains, “so I have the opportunity to make learning as fun as I like!”
When he grows up, Caleb wants to be a teacher, a motivational speaker, and a reading coach.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
One of his big goals is to start his own school to help other kids learn and grow. And someday, he hopes to give a speech at a huge sports stadium during a halftime show!
Don’t be afraid to dream big like Caleb. ✨
When Caleb’s not busy reading or writing awesome speeches, he’s just like other kids, like you! He loves playing baseball, having fun with video games alongside his sisters and cousin, and hanging out with his family. ⛹️ 🎮
His grandma Valerie, and his mom and dad, Kendra and Tavarous Stewart, describe him as someone who is “affectionate and really cares about others”.
Congratulations, Master Caleb, you are Officially Amazing! 🏆