Have you ever lost yourself trying to be who others expected you to be? Or found yourself in a moment that forced you to ask: who am I, really? Speaker Slam® is now accepting applications for Identity, the fourth competition of our 10th anniversary season.
The deadline to apply is June 13th, 2026. The competition takes place July 21st at Lula Lounge in Toronto, with livestreaming available for those outside the city.
What This Theme Is About
Identity honors the hard work of knowing yourself. Reclaiming a part of yourself that you had buried for years. A single moment that reshaped how you see yourself entirely. Fighting to be seen for who you actually are, not who the world decided you were. These are the kinds of stories this theme was made for.
We are looking for people who have done the work of becoming themselves and can speak honestly about what that journey looked like. Your story might be the permission someone else needs to finally be themselves.
Who Should Apply
Speaker Slam® welcomes speakers at every level. First-time speakers have won competitions on our stage before. A strong personal story carries more weight than polished delivery, and if you have lived a moment that genuinely changed how you see yourself, we want to hear it.
This competition draws coaches, entrepreneurs, advocates, authors, and healthcare professionals, alongside people who simply have a story worth telling. If you have ever had to choose yourself, this theme was written for you.
About the Competition
Ten selected speakers each deliver a five-minute inspirational speech on the night of the competition. Four industry judges score each performance across six categories using a 100-point system, and the audience votes for their favourite. The winner takes home a prize package valued at up to $10,000, including $2,000 cash, and earns a spot at the 2026 Grand Slam: Inspirational Speaking Finals.
Every speaker who competes receives a professionally filmed, multi-camera video of their speech. That video becomes a lasting asset for building a speaking career, pitching media, and sharing their story beyond the stage.
Event Details
📅 Date: Monday, July 21st, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM EST
📍 Location: Lula Lounge, Toronto, Ontario
💻 Livestream: Available for those outside Toronto
🏆 Prize: Package valued at up to $10,000 including $2,000 cash
🎤 Format: 10 speakers · 5-minute speeches · 4 industry judges
One Speech Can Change Your Life
Speaker Slam® has been running since 2016. In that time, more than 1,000 speakers have taken the stage and collectively generated over 100 million video views. Speakers have gone on to land TEDx talks, book deals, national media coverage, and full-time speaking careers. For many of them, it started with a five-minute story on our stage.
This is the fourth theme of Season 10. Applications are reviewed personally. If your story is a fit for this theme, we will reach out to set up a conversation.
Application Deadline
June 13th, 2026
Spots are limited to 10 speakers. Early applications are encouraged.