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Meet the Founder:

Rashan Legard is using his personal experiences to advocate for change in organizational cultures, particularly in the areas of sexual assault and harassment. His approach of using storytelling to bring awareness and empower survivors is a powerful tool for promoting change.

 

Through his company, Rashan Legard Speaks LLC, he is able to bring his message to a wider audience by providing training and consulting services to organizations. By focusing on Equal Employment Opportunities, Ethics, Sexual Assault, and Harassment issues, he is able to help organizations improve their training and effectiveness while also bringing awareness to these important issues.

 

Overall, Rashan Legard work is an important contribution to the ongoing efforts to create safer and more equitable workplaces and to empower survivors of sexual assault and harassment. Rashan Legard is also a recognized trainer within the Difference Makers (10 Strong) community

of trainers. He has honed his skills as a servant leader through extensive education on Veterans with mental health diagnoses and volunteering with organizations of diverse cultures and ethnicities. 

 

Additionally, Rashan has received comprehensive training on the experiences of the BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) community within the LGBTQ+ community, which has helped him to advocate for survivors and understand the stigma from multiple cultural perspectives. Originally from Lorain, Ohio, Rashan learned the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity at a young age. He earned his bachelors degree in Communications and Broadcast from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, in 2011. Following his graduation, Rashan enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Special Troops Battalion (STB) at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. However, his life was forever changed when he became a victim of sexual assault.

 

Following his traumatic experience of sexual assault, Rashan Legard was driven to become a voice of change. He and his team of Bowie University Cadets founded Spoken Words of Pain a platform that has positively impacted the Department of Defense. Rashan has since taken history and spoken word performances to various organizations across the country to address unhealthy attitudes and unethical behaviors. His innovative approach to expression has given not only his trauma but also the experiences of other survivors a voice. Furthermore, his approach has provided leaders with a new perspective on how trauma and a lack of awareness can affect organizations.

 

RProgram while pursuing a second degree in Social Work. In 2019, Rashan graduated Magna Cum Laude and was Commissioned back into the Army as a Branched Quartermaster. Rashan Legard was medically retired from active duty in 2022. Upon retirement, Rashan obtained his Master’s in Social Work in 2023 from The Ohio State University.

Outside of his professional work, Rashan enjoys traveling worldwide, writing poetry, and spending time with his family. He believes in the power of surrounding oneself with positive people who will hold them accountable and challenge them to grow.

Education & Training

  • The Ohio State University: Master of Science, Social Work focus in Community Practice and Development

  • The Ohio State University: Bachelor of Science, Social Work focus in Military Science

  • Central State University: Bachelor of Arts, Communications

  • Department of Defense: United States Army, Basic Officer Leadership Academy focus in Unit Movement Officer Deployment Planning

  • Department of Defense: United States Army Leadership Development Advance Camp

  • Department of Defense: United States Army, Basic Leadership Academy

Certifications

  • Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training: BIPOC & LGBTQ+ population

  • Master Resilience Training Instructor Certification

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