avier Blackwell is an educator, motivational speaker, Division Director, and visionary entrepreneur dedicated to developing leadership, cultural competence, and global excellence in the next generation. He is the Founder and CEO of Newstead Global, where he leads transformative leadership trainings and cross-cultural workshops nationwide, with a focus on empowering international students to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially while studying abroad.
Since launching Newstead Global in 2017, Xavier has remained deeply committed to expanding access to high-impact, life-changing global opportunities—particularly for students from historically underserved communities. His professional work and research intersect around this mission, exploring how study abroad experiences influence identity, confidence, and long-term success for students of color.
Xavier currently serves as Leadership Education faculty at St. John Vianney High School and proudly holds the role of Division Director for Toastmasters District 8, where he leads with a strong commitment to communication excellence, personal growth, and transformative mentorship. A proud St. Louis native, he brings nearly two decades of experience in education, student development, and global leadership, including prior roles at Eastern Illinois University and the University of Pittsburgh.
He is currently completing his PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where his research centers the voices and experiences of BIPOC students in global education. At his core, Xavier is a servant-leader whose mission is to inspire, uplift, and build legacy—grounded in faith, purpose, and the belief that we rise by lifting others.