DAVID MAGEE

"Breathtakingly Brilliant”

A message of hope translates unimaginable tragedy into an inspirational commitment to saving others.

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The National Bestseller

Dear William

Called “breathtakingly brilliant” in tone by renowned memoirist Kiese Laymon, “powerful and revelatory” by NYT bestselling author Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and named a best book of the South in 2022, Magee’s Dear William memoir addresses addiction, recovery, love and loss, and the making and near-breaking of an American family like no book you’ve read.

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Speaking

David speaks nationally to varied audiences including college campuses, parenting conferences, corporate events, and writing workshops.
He brings a combination of honesty, relatability, and depth to every event, and his message is consistently inspirational and uplifting, engaging with all ages and backgrounds.


David's one-of-a-kind voice and experience comes from someone who's entire family was broken and suffering with mental health and addiction, yet he and they managed to save themselves and family (minus late son William) to find lasting joy and purpose. Since 2021, he's addressed tens of thousands students, parents and educators throughout the country about finding and keeping joy, delivering change-making results.


And on rare occasions, he even takes the stage with his entire family to talk about addiction (including eating disorder) and recovery. See the Magee family on stage here at David's Dear William launch on the Ole Miss campus.


Combined with David's leadership experience, having studied some of the greatest brands and leaders of our time as an author with access including Toyota, John Deere, Ford Motor Company and more, his message of hope and resilience is perfect for these difficult times. Represented by the renowned speaker's bureau APB, you can learn more here bout having David as your next keynote.

His Dream—Now Our Dream
Can Be Realized

William had hoped to one day be strong enough to help others. He is no longer with us, but his desire to help has been realized with the establishment of this significant program named in his honor.


With more than $3 million raised so far, the William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education opened at the University of Mississippi in Fall 2019 to help students on campus. Now, the University, with the help of David Magee's leadership, is building the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing, so that groundbreaking work can go beyond campus.


The Magee Magee Institute seeks to understand how best to prevent or break that cycle of unhealthy habits and addictions. Established to serve Mississippi and beyond, the Institute honors the memory of William Magee, a UM honor student and SEC track athlete who lost his life to a drug overdose less than two years after graduation. David, who is helping establish the Institute from the ground-up, serves as the Magee Institute's Director of Operations and is an active speaker throughout the country on what he learns from students, parents and educators about what's needed now.


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