Wes Moore
Wes Moore is a youth advocate, Army combat veteran, national bestselling author, and innovative social entrepreneur. His first book, The Other Wes Moore, became an instant New York Times bestseller. He is also the host of "Beyond Belief" on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.
Wes was born in 1978 in Maryland, and, three years later, his father died suddenly in front of him. His mother moved with Wes and his two sisters to the Bronx, New York. Although he had early disciplinary challenges, Wes graduated Phi Theta Kappa from Valley Forge Military College in 1998 and Phi Beta Kappa from Johns Hopkins University in 2001. He completed an MLitt in International Relations from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar in 2004. Wes was a paratrooper and Captain in the United States Army, serving a combat tour of duty in Afghanistan with the 1st Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division in 2005-2006. He spearheaded the American strategic support plan for the Afghan Reconciliation Program, and, as a White House Fellow from 2006-2007, Moore served as a Special Assistant to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Wes serves on IAVA's Board of Directors (Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America), and the Board of Trustees for Johns Hopkins University and The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. While a student at Johns Hopkins he founded STAND!, which works with Baltimore youth involved in the criminal justice system. Wes was a featured speaker at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, a "40 Under 40 Rising Star" in Crain's New York Business, and was named to Ebony Magazine's Annual Power 100 List in 2011. He has been featured by The New York Times, USA Today, People Magazine, "Oprah," "Meet the Press," "Charlie Rose," "The View," and NPR, amongst others.
Wes is committed to helping young people redirect their lives and supporting the parents, teachers, mentors and volunteers who care for, and work with, our nation's youth. A portion of the proceeds from sales of The Other Wes Moore are being donated to the U.S. Dream Academy and City Year.
Wes lives with his wife Dawn and his daughter in New York.