Now Booking for 2024 / 25

We are now accepting bookings for 2024/25!

To book simply use our Online Booking Form or email me at duane@staydriven.com

We are now accepting bookings for 2024/25.

Hope you had a great summer!

I’ve been enjoying some well-needed / deserved rest for most of the summer…

Except for the trip I took last week to Bogota, Colombia – it was a blast.

In May, I had the opportunity to perform in France, South Africa and the Netherlands. It was amazing.

I am currently working on my first illustrated children’s book and an accompanying children’s album.
I can’t wait for you to see it.

To kick off the year, I will do a limited run of Back to School performances.
I’m confident this show will make your school year a great start for students and staff!

The discounted cost for one presentation (one hour) is $999 + HST or two for $1499 + HST.

This applies to bookings for September to October 15th only.

Booking for November’s anti-bullying week and February’s Black Canadian 365 is encouraged as we will fill up fast so it is best to book in advance.

Looking forward to working with you!

Here is a feature of me appearing on Canada’s Number 1 daytime show The Social and Top morning program in the country Breakfast TV!

This February, I will return with our second annual live Black Canadian 365 conference broadcasting the event across the country.

In addition, I am taking bookings for in-school performances throughout February and March.

On Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, D.O. Gibson will host the third annual Black Canadian 365 conference for students across Canada. This year’s theme is “Songs of Freedom,” and D.O. will share stories that connect to music and freedom.

There are two scheduled events at 9:30 am EST and 1:00 pm EST. The presentation and content will be the same, providing two time options to make it more accessible for schools nationwide. Registering will grant you access to both events.

The one-hour presentation is suitable for all grades (k-12) and is an updated version of last year’s conference with additional content to ensure attendees feel engaged and may even want to book a follow-up.

Upon registration, you will have access to attend either or both events.

In “Songs of Freedom,” D.O. will narrate the story of Birchtown, an area in Nova Scotia where Black Canadians left for Sierra Leone, Africa. He will also discuss Bob Marley’s Nova Scotia connection that inspired one of his iconic songs. As always, D.O. will delve into how Black History Month was created in Canada and share the story of Viola Desmond.

In his trademark style, Gibson will seamlessly blend speaking and rap throughout the performance.

Anticipating an audience of over 50,000 students, Gibson will highlight the contributions of Black Canadians as part of Black History Month. The event will take place virtually on Zoom, allowing students to tune in from their classrooms across the country.

D.O. initiated Black 365 in 2021 and virtually performed at more than one hundred schools across Canada.

New this year: Black Canadian 365 will be FREE to those who purchase the conference. This includes a ten-part online course that can be completed in-class, covering various aspects of Black Canadian history

This year I am celebrating my 20th year of visiting schools.

I’m excited to come to YOUR school this school year!

Despite a Worldwide pandemic, 2021 has been one of my most successful years!

You can see what I’ve been up to this year by viewing this video…

Click here to visit our contact page to book an Anti-Bullying, Black Canadian 365, or Leadership show.

I’m looking forward to visiting your school soon!

Duane / D.O.

In February 2020, D.O. was featured on CTV’s Evening News!

https://youtu.be/94RQ_JI7kWI

In February 2019, D.O. was featured on CTV’s Etalk!

The segment talks about D.O.’s Stay Driven program focusing on Black History and his role as a father to his two children.

Check it out below

https://youtu.be/j115pJlPQ_A

This is a look at my Stay Driven school tour in February 2019.

It’s been great visiting schools talking about Canadian Black History.

This video will give you a look at elementary, middle, and high schools and includes testimonials from educators.

Thank you to Driftwood, St. Basil and St. Francis Xavier CES for letting me capture the experiences from Stay Driven at your schools!

I am excited to announce that we have sold out our Black Canadian History tour!

In April, I will be doing three weeks of shows in British Columbia.

There are still chances to book for the remainder of 2018-19 school year and we are accepting bookings for 2019-20.

Please visit our online booking form for more information.

This Fall we kick off a new season of Stay Driven.

After a summer of touring Europe, I’m excited to get back into schools and connecting with youth.

We are back with our Anti-Bullying and Leadership programs.

Due to the popularity of our Black History program, I’m no longer just booking this show for February but throughout the entire year.  It was great last year doing this program in April, May and even June!

We have early bird discounts available so click here to visit our contact page to book.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

D.O.

Every February we learn about Black History but too often we focus on the same things.

It’s important to know about historic and inspirational heroes such as Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, but we also need to dig deeper and learn more about inspirational leaders from Canada.

Our Black History presentation specializes in Black Canadian History.  I talk about Viola Desmond who stood up for her rights by sitting down at a movie theatre in Nova Scotia.  In 2018, she will be on the ten-dollar bill.

I talk about freedom fighter Josiah Henson – a slave that travelled the Underground Railroad for freedom in Canada, became a land owner, and helped other free and empower other blacks.  The presentation is interactive and I get the students rapping along to a negro spiritual.  I play a music video about Black Canadian achievements.  Finally, I call upon volunteers to play a game of “name that tune” to highlight black music contributions.

Black History Month Presentation

*Please note that this is an elementary k-5 school show that we filmed.  The presentation works at middle and highschools as well and is tailored to the audience.

Black History Music Video

Now booking for 2017-18!

It’s 2017 and we are looking forward to visiting more schools and reaching more youth.

We’ve made a few new additions… new brochure, new videos, new references… feel free to contact us with any questions,

Click here to download new brochure

Stay Driven EPK

Highschool and In The Zone EPK

New D.O. song “Follow Me” – where I get to play a teacher!

We’ve added a few video clips from a Stay Driven Highschool performance.

Check it out:

I’m excited to add a new presentation that focuses on Mental Health.

This is a subject that I have been asked about a lot over the last few years.

The program will address early warning signs and provide tips and solutions in an entertaining and educational way.

“You went to my sons school today in Toronto. I want to thank you from the bottom of My heart for your positive influence on my Kids. They came home listening to your songs and saying that you were nice and you taught about bullying. My sons have been bullied in that school. It’s been an ongoing battle.

Thanks for dedicating yourself to serious and crucial topics. Such as bullying and self esteem. I appreciate you. Thank you
For being amazing. Thanks so much”

– parent from school in TCDSB, May 15 2015