Ashley Mitchell joins The Speechwriter’s Room for a conversation about the power of speeches in times of crisis, pulling from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s recent remarks at a press conference shortly after Renee Good was killed by an ICE agent on January 7, 2026. The two speechwriters talk about what speakers and leaders need to remember for crisis communications, including how to connect to an audience when a tragedy happens. Mary and Ashley also discuss the speech that Robert F. Kennedy gave in 1968 after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The “speechwriter’s Bible” that Ashley mentions: https://www.speechwriterscompanion.com/
Speechwriters of Color’s website: https://speechwritersofcolor.com/
Video of Mayor Jacob Frey’s remarks at a press conference on January 7th, 2026: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey tells ICE 'get the f--- out' in response to Minnesota shooting
Video of Robert F. Kennedy’s speech on April 4, 1968, after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indianapolis, 1968: Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King and a historic call for peace
