Free Hugs Project

What Free Hugs Project does

Free Hugs Project, legally operated as Restore Civility (EIN 82-1657510), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 by Ken E. Nwadike Jr. and headquartered in Chula Vista, California. The organization functions as a personal-brand media and speaking enterprise centered on its founder, combining motivational speaking, peace activism, and viral social media content. Core products include the College Motivational Program, High School/Middle School Program, and Corporate Restoring Civility Program, all delivered as in-person keynotes supplemented by a virtual course through Conscious Campus's Teachable platform. Ancillary products include the documentary film "Called To The Front Lines" (Amazon Prime Video), the Free Hugs Project Podcast (Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher), merchandise sold through HugsCompression.com, and the nationwide Connect More Tour.

The underlying technology stack is intentionally minimal: a video content creation and social media distribution engine that has generated over 150 million combined views on Facebook and YouTube since 2014, anchored by the founder's on-camera peacekeeping footage at protests, rallies, and the Boston Marathon. No proprietary software, AI/ML capabilities, or platform architecture is indicated; distribution relies on organic social reach, earned media from outlets such as CNN, NBC, and BBC, and two channel partnerships — Conscious Campus for educational and corporate bookings, and The Gersh Agency in Beverly Hills for entertainment and film appearances.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across four streams: (1) speaking engagement fees booked through Conscious Campus and The Gersh Agency on a quote-based, undisclosed pricing model; (2) tax-deductible donations via GoFundMe, Cash App, mailed checks, and Stockdonator; (3) merchandise sales through the HugsCompression.com e-commerce storefront; and (4) one-time licensing of the documentary on Amazon Prime Video. The customer base spans colleges and universities (primary), K-12 schools, corporations, and law enforcement agencies across the US, with episodic international engagements in Ireland and the UK. With 1-10 employees and no institutional funding, the organization is essentially a single-operator enterprise whose economics, brand value, and growth trajectory are tightly coupled to one individual's continued availability and public profile.

Name

Free Hugs Project

Legal name

Restore Civility

Website

https://freehugsproject.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Free Hugs Project (legally Restore Civility) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit motivational speaking platform founded by Ken Nwadike Jr., serving colleges, K-12 schools, corporations, and law enforcement with peace activism and DEI-focused keynote programs distributed via viral video content and agency channel partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chula Vista

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Speaking Engagement Fees: Ken Nwadike Jr. earns revenue through keynote speeches, lectures, and presentations at colleges, high schools, corporate events, and conferences. Bookings are managed through Conscious Campus and The Gersh Agency.
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations to the 501(c)(3) organization. Donations can be made via GoFundMe, Cash App, or by mailing checks to the organization. Stock donations are also accepted through Stockdonator.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online store (Hugs Compression) sells merchandise including compression wear.
4. Film/Documentary Revenue: Documentary film 'Called To The Front Lines' available on Amazon Prime Video.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Free Hugs Project provides motivational speaking programs for colleges, high schools, and corporate audiences, alongside producing a documentary film, a podcast series, and branded merchandise. The organization, founded and fronted by Ken Nwadike Jr., delivers keynotes, lectures, and Q&A sessions through its Connect More Tour, with bookings routed through two specialized agencies (Conscious Campus and The Gersh Agency). All offerings are unified by a peace activism and civility restoration mission.

Product overview

Free Hugs Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operated as a single-person media and speaking enterprise centered on its founder Ken Nwadike Jr. The offering portfolio consists of in-person and virtual speaking programs for college, high school, and corporate audiences (College Motivational Program, High School Motivational Program, Corporate Restoring Civility Program), a documentary film (Called To The Front Lines), a podcast distributed across major platforms, a virtual course offered through Conscious Campus, a merchandise shop, and a nationwide speaking tour (Connect More Tour). All products and services are unified by the core mission of spreading love, inspiring change, and raising awareness of social issues through the Free Hugs brand and content library.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• College Motivational Program — The Power of Positive Human Interaction An interactive college program where Ken Nwadike Jr. engages student leaders in small-group discussions and delivers a keynote address on positive human interaction and racial unity on campus. Targeted at colleges and universities.
• K-12 Motivational Program — Developing A Loving Support Team

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150 million combined video views on Facebook and YouTube
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Conscious CampuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpeaking engagements for colleges, high schools, and corporate events are booked exclusively through Conscious Campus. Greg Bura serves as the primary contact for booking Ken Nwadike Jr. for educational and business speaking engagements.
• The Gersh AgencycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEntertainment and film production appearances are booked through The Gersh Agency in Beverly Hills, California. This partnership handles non-educational speaking engagements including TV, film, and commercial appearances.
• Conscious Campus (Donor)minorOthersOne of the donors to the Free Hugs Project, listed in the special thanks section of the website.
• M1 (m1miniguns.com)minorOthersListed in the special thanks section as a donor to the Free Hugs Project.
• US UnitedminorOthersListed in the special thanks section as a donor to the Free Hugs Project.
• Aegis LivingminorOthersListed in the special thanks section as a donor to the Free Hugs Project.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The King Center: Established nonprofit founded by Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King Jr. to advance nonviolence, civil rights, and social justice through education and advocacy. Comparable as a larger, more established nonprofit in the civil rights and unity space.
• The Gersh Agency: Major talent and literary agency based in Beverly Hills that represents the Free Hugs Project for entertainment and film appearances. Comparable as a large incumbent brokerage operating in the same personal-brand talent space.
• Harry Walker Agency: One of the largest and most established speakers bureaus in the United States, representing high-profile political, business, and motivational speakers. Competes for the same institutional keynote dollars as the Free Hugs Project's booking agencies.

Direct peers

• Leading Authorities: Full-service speakers bureau representing thought leaders, authors, and motivational speakers for corporate, association, and university events. Directly comparable as a competing distribution channel for the same booking customers.
• Braver Angels: 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on reducing political polarization and bringing together Americans across differences through workshops, events, and speaker programs. Closely comparable in mission and nonprofit structure to the Free Hugs Project's unity and civility work.
• BigSpeak Motivational Speakers Bureau: Speakers bureau that books motivational and keynote speakers for corporate and university events. Operates in the same talent marketplace as the agencies representing Ken Nwadike Jr., competing for the same keynote budget allocation.
• Life After Hate: Nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people leave behind violent far-right movements, with public education, speaker programs, and community interventions. Comparable as a mission-aligned nonprofit that also produces speakers and content on de-escalation and social healing.
• American Program Bureau: Speakers bureau specializing in keynote and motivational speakers for colleges, universities, and corporate events. Directly competes with Conscious Campus for the same educational and corporate speaker bookings.
• Conscious Campus: Speakers bureau and booking platform that exclusively handles the Free Hugs Project's educational and corporate speaking engagements. Operates as both a strategic partner and a comparable sales channel for motivational speakers.
• More in Common: International nonprofit that works to bridge divides and build more inclusive societies through research, campaigns, and public-facing programming. Shares the Free Hugs Project's core mission of reducing polarization and humanizing 'the other.'

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/freehugsproject
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCn9bExO23JNSYiQSTIOnGWA?sub_confirmation=1
• Facebookfacebook.com/FreeHugsProject
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/superhero-events-llc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/freehugsproject.tv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Free Hugs Project