Stephen Curry Brings the Power of Storytelling to the Hilltop
The University of San Francisco welcomed back four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry to the Silk Speaker Series on Sunday, Aug. 30, drawing the largest in-person audience in the series' history for an evening centered on the enduring power of storytelling, leadership, and social justice.
Joined by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ben Proudfoot and Unanimous Media CEO Erick Peyton, Curry reflected on the making of The Baddest Speechwriter of All, the award-winning documentary he co-directed about Clarence B. Jones — lawyer, speechwriter, trusted adviser to Martin Luther King Jr., and co-founder of the USF Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice, which focuses on addressing the most urgent social problems in our communities, across the nation, and around the world.
Moderated by USF legend Jennifer Azzi, the conversation followed an exclusive screening of the film, which premieres on Netflix in December.
For Curry, the project began with a conversation that changed his perspective.
His first meeting with Jones, whom he described as "a well of experience and wisdom," challenged him to think more intentionally about how he uses his platform. "That meeting was life-changing," Curry said, adding that he is "just getting started" in his own efforts to create meaningful impact.
While careful not to compare himself to Jones or King, Curry spoke about the example they set through lives rooted in integrity, purpose, and service. Their legacy, he said, serves as a constant reminder to use his voice in ways that can positively influence others.
Proudfoot shared that Jones, who was 92 when they filmed the documentary, was the driving force behind telling his own story. "You could hear his voice booming through the building," Proudfoot said after the screening. "His words and story will live on."
That commitment to amplifying overlooked stories is central to Unanimous Media's mission. Peyton said he hopes films like The Baddest Speechwriter of All inspire audiences around the world and demonstrate that more stories like Jones' deserve to be told on the biggest screens.
Throughout the evening, the panel returned to the importance of teamwork, authenticity, and purpose. Curry reflected on the documentary's message that meaningful change is never accomplished alone, noting that "everything great that you do in this world you can't do without a team."
Asked about the role faith plays in his life, Curry described it as his grounding force. Believing there is "something bigger than yourself," he said, gives him purpose both on and off the basketball court.
The conversation concluded with advice for USF students. Peyton encouraged them to embrace hard work and learn to enjoy the process. Proudfoot urged students to be bold about their ambitions: "Figure out what you want and ask for it." Curry left the audience with a simple but powerful reminder to pursue each day with gratitude and joy.
Guests also were encouraged to continue Jones' legacy by supporting the USF Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice, reinforcing the evening's message that stories have the power not only to preserve history, but also to inspire action.
At USF, conversations like these inspire action. Learn more about the USF Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice and its work to educate leaders committed to building a more just and humane world.
