Michael DeLeon is a man who used to be trapped by drugs and gangs, but now he uses that same past to warn thousands of youth. He was sentenced to 12 years in state prison and halfway houses after years of addiction and gang activity. His message is about hope, healing, and that nobody is beyond change. Today, he leads Steered Straight, a nonprofit that speaks in schools, correctional facilities, and conferences to prevent drug abuse and crime. His work shows that painful mistakes can become powerful lessons if one chooses to turn life around.
| Net Worth (As of 2025) | $20 million |
| Profession | Motivational Speaker, Filmmaker, Nonprofit Founder |
| Known For | Founder of Steered Straight and drug prevention programs |
| Notable Works | Kids Are Dying, An American Epidemic, Table Talks |
| Nationality | American |
| Years Active | 2000s–Present |
Michael DeLeon was born in Ireland and moved to the United States with his family at the age of five. His parents divorced when he was in fifth grade, which deeply affected him during his childhood. He also faced physical abuse from his uncles in his early years. Later in his life, he experienced a tragic loss when his mother was murdered by gang members on Mother’s Day.
As of 2025, Michael DeLeon has built a $20 million net worth through his work as a motivational speaker, filmmaker, and nonprofit leader. After overcoming his own struggles with addiction, he founded Steered Straight, a nonprofit organization that educates youth and families about the dangers of drugs and crime.
He also earns from documentary filmmaking, having produced several educational films such as Kids Are Dyingand An American Epidemic, which are shown in schools and community programs across the country. In addition, DeLeon is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, delivering talks nationwide at schools, corporate events, and conferences. His books, media projects, and speaking engagements have all contributed to his financial success and growing influence in addiction prevention and youth education.
- Table Talks and Dashboard Conversations: Parent-Child Conversation Guide, This book (co-authored with Darla L. DeLeon and Shaina M. Afful) offers more than 365 short conversation starters (3-minute) between parents/guardians and children about topics like drugs, addiction, friendship, and goal-setting. There are also family activity ideas.
- Another non-fiction book by him is Table Talks, which is a guide for parents and families to understand needed conversations about drug and alcohol use.
Michael DeLeon is available for event bookings as a keynote speaker. He is frequently invited to schools, youth organizations, correctional facilities, and corporate events to share his powerful message about addiction prevention, recovery, and making positive life choices. His speaking fee typically ranges between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on the event type and location. DeLeon can be booked through agencies such as All American Speakers Bureau or AAE Speakers Bureau, which manage his professional speaking engagements and event scheduling.