Bernadette Black

Biography

As a once 16-year-old mother, Bernadette Black is the founder and CEO of BRAVE Foundation, which was awarded $4.4 M funding, in 2018 to run a nationwide program connecting 500 expecting and parenting teens to education and support opportunities.

Bernadette’s vision and passion is creating preventative strategy and policy recommendations for those at risk of long-term disadvantage. As evidenced by her own story, extensive awards including, Barnardos Australian Mother of the year, Telstra Tas Businesswoman of the Year and most notably the Australian Tas of the Year, accolades and professional background including being a Harvard Kennedy Alumnae, Bernadette’s leadership has already created lasting systemic change and impact.

People matter to Bernadette. Individualised relationships matter, and so does creating pathways for groups of people experiencing long term disadvantage by taking an interagency and collaborative approach with governments, education and community organisations.

Bernadette’s pioneering work with the Australian Federal Government has allowed her to identify and strengthen interception moments for groups of people at risk of long-term disadvantage and welfare dependency. This research-based, preventative approach has resulted in creating pathways to healthy, happy and skilled lives over time, breaking generational cycles of lifetime welfare dependency. Bernadette’s transformational leadership is seeing both economic and social progress in her nation.

Topics

• Gift for a teenage life (half day seminar for secondary students)
• Motivational speaking
• Wellness
• Non-profit leadership
• Teen pregnancy
• Collaboration
• Innovation
• Team Building
• The 'brave' key
• Combat workplace bullying
• Work place morale
• Governance

Testimonials

As an Upper House Member of Parliament, I was inspired to be brave, be consistent and strive to do what is right when making difficult decisions- totally inspirational!
Hon Ruth Forrest MLC
Parliament of Australia

Bernadette is amazing!! Personable, humorous, inspiring, charming, and engaging are a few words I would use to describe her as both a speaker and as a person.
GM Leaders Program

Your story and beautiful family are inspiring, and I congratulate you warmly on every effort spreading your message of hope and example of strength, courage and optimism to young people and to our wider community
Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC
Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Bernadette Black is amongst the best communicators in Australia. At a time in history when young people are facing powerfully conflicting messages from a range of sources, Bernadette offers a voice of hope and possibility. A voice that we have never before needed so urgently.I warmly recommend Bernadette to any group seeking to assist  people make great choices as they overcome challenges of any size in the pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.
National Director
Choicez Media

Bernadette’s message is equally moving and powerful for older women who are suffering hardship in their lives. She was able to give us incredible insight into how she viewed the world in her hardship and how she coped through adversity - – we felt her pain and her joy.  Bernadette’s story was inspiring but her messages were simple – like sitting down to have a cup of tea and a chat. We need frequent reminders that we need each other in an age that promotes the individual.
Drought Response Officer
City of Greater Bendigo

You touched a lot of women’s lives with your story. Be encouraged your words are very powerful...Bless you
LIFE Women’s conference
Thirroul, NSW

What every teenager needs to know...this book could save your teenager's life ...every High School student should hear Bernadette speak!
Robyn Moore
Professional Speaker

Thank you very much for speaking at our meeting last night. I must say that it has been a highlight of the year so far. Thank you so much.
Rotary Hobart

Thanks again for your talk. The girls loved it and haven't stopped talking about it. They have all now read your book and there is a long waiting list in the library for others who want to read it.
Mt Carmel Hobart

Everyone has a story...however not everyone has the courage or passion to tell it. What a remarkable woman and example you are. It should be an aim that every teenager hears your story.
CEO
Behold the Diamond, NSW

I am happy to recommend, without hesitation, Bernadette Black as a speaker for any event, especially events designed for young people. Bernie is bright, intelligent and articulate. She has the ability to connect with any crowd. Her personal life story of proving her critics wrong, and excelling where others predicted certain failure, cannot fail to move anyone who hears it. Bernie’s compelling story demonstrates that teenagers - in fact all people - can find the inner strength to rise above the dictates of others and refuse to conform to dominant and assumed expectations, to make healthy and life-affirming choices.
Founding Director
Women’s Forum Australia

Not only is your story inspirational, it is extremely educational and a much needed resource nd story that all young teenagers should hear about. Your sourage and determination makes you an excellent role model for teenagers and young mothers alike.
St Michaels Collegiate