Kevin Wilson

Author | Entrepreneur | Chai Expert | Humanitarian | Faith Leader | Influencer
Dubbed “the CEO of Chai” by Bon Appétit magazine, Kevin Wilson is an expert on all things chai. He engages audiences across the country by using chai, the cherished drink of his Sri Lankan family, as a medium for storytelling. From creating the perfect cup of chai, to philosophical lessons, to advice on entrepreneurship, Kevin keeps audiences enthralled with his unique style and concludes speeches with a tasting of his delicious creations. While a steaming cup of chai can’t solve everything, it can help us tap into the power of patience, clarity, and intention.
       THE CHAIXPERIENCE
Good Day Oregon
A third-culture kid who has lived in or visited fifteen countries, Kevin Wilson knows what it means to be a cultural outsider. When he was a teenager, his family in Sri Lanka applied for visas to come to the US, but his was the only visa approved. A world away from his country and so many of his loved ones, he stayed connected to his culture and family through chai. Kevin is an ordained minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church with a decade of pastoral ministry experience. ​ In The Way of Chai, Wilson shares his popular chai recipes and introduces readers to the art of making chai as a spiritual practice. His meditations on the brewing process illuminate valuable life lessons on attunement, gratitude, and serving others. 

Speech Topics

The way of chai recipes for a meaningful life
In his presentation, culture expert, social media influencer, and faith leader, Kevin Wilson takes you on a multi-sensory journey through the tea plantations of Sri Lanka, his birth country. He will make masala chai from scratch, stoping along the way to teach life lessons from the world of tea. He customizes each presentation to address the various topics of importance. He shares principles and frameworks on how to develop courage and boldness and imparts practical and philosophical lessons on how to look inward and discover your true identity. He showhow we can cultivate just and inclusive communities and form and foster healthy cross-cultural communities in your school, college, or workplace. Through the practice of tea making, Kevin provides tools that you can use to find your unique expression and voice and how to see opportunity in every difficulty. Following the presentation, participants will enjoy a cup of Kevin’s homemade chai.
STEEPING IN SUCCESS A CHAI-INSPIRED JOURNEY TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP
In this talk, Kevin shares how he built three successful global brands, CrossCultureKev, CrossCultureChai, CrossCultureTours, while working full-time. You will learn principles and practices that help you manage your time and cultivate creativity as you build your own enterprises and brands.
THE INGREDIENTS OF DIGITAL STORYTELLING HOW TO USE STORYTELLING PRINCIPLES TO INCREASE YOUR INFLUENCE, IMPACT, AND INCOME. ​
Drawing on his personal journey as a new immigrant who became an international speaker and online influencer, Kevin Wilson shares how he was able to grow a loyal tribe of 500K ‘besteas’ and his tea business without ads and with a full-time work schedule. He will share storytelling principles and practices that you can use to build your own brand or take your brand to the next level. Kevin shares tips and strategies on how to cultivate creativity. From his experience as a content-creator who has masterfully influences story-telling principles with tea-making, Kevin will teach you how to keep your creative juices flowing and leverage your artistic expressions to build meaningful content that will increase your influence, impact, and income.
PUBLIC TEA-OLOGY HOW TO DEVELOP A FAITH-BASED, STORY-DRIVEN, ONLINE PRESENCE THAT IS ROOTED IN CULTURE AND STEEPED IN EMPATHY. ​
Drawing on his experience as “Chaplain Chai”, his cross-cultural, inter-faith experience, and that of a university social media strategist, Pastor Kevin shares tips and strategies on how to develop and grow a culturally relevant, Scripture-based, deeply authentic, online ministry that meets felt needs. In this presentation, Kevin will share his playbook on how he was able to build an online brand that is culturally resonant for both christians and non-Christians alike. He teaches storytelling principles and strategies that are beneficial in growing a multi-cultural, interfaith, online community regardless of your skill level, theological beliefs, or ethnic background .
"Over the years, I’ve watched Kevin captivate and inspire audiences — large and small — with wisdom and dynamism. His cross-cultural acuity and spiritual depth makes him one of my favorite speakers around! “

— Garrison Hayes
Webby Award Winning Content Creator, Journalist, Creative Director of Kindred Media 

Previous Engagements

  • Digital Mission Lab - Florida Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists 
  • University of the Pacific, Stockton - Creativity and Chai 
  • Andrews University - Social Media and Entrepreneurship 
  • Adventist Youth Conference, Perth, Australia 
  • Walla Walla School of Nursing, Portland, Oregon - ChaiXperience
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University - Guest Lecturer 
  • Union College, Nebraska - Guest Lecturer
  • Society of Adventist Communicators - Breakout Session Speaker 
  • ​Creators Lab - Creator’s Conference.
  • Adventist Health Hospital, Portland, Oregon
  • ​Portland Adventist Community Services

Books

The Way of Chai: Recipes for a Meaningful Life
In his book, Wilson shares his most popular recipes and introduces readers to making chai as a spiritual practice that involves patience and attunement to meld just the right combination of spices.

“The Way of Chai is a delightful and inspirational read. Kevin invites you on a personal journey of lived experiences through the interconnectedness and ultimate humanity of chai.” -- Asha Gomez, Chef and James Beard nomiated author 


​Related Links

OFFICIAL WEBSITE
TIK TOK
INSTAGRAM
THEWAYOFCHAI.COM
CROSS CULTURE TOURS