“This is one of the best and most fulfilling days of the year for me,” commented Christiaan. “To spend time with the kids, to see how they’re thriving under the guidance of Dr. Courtney Byrd and her brilliant team, it’s truly inspiring. Dream Speak Live is an important slogan for us; it means to never shy away from who you are, never be ashamed of stuttering and to not let it define you. Live your life and pursue your dreams. Dream Speak Live sums up everything that we believe in and I’m so proud to have that slogan on my golf bag to help spread the message.”

Bonded by the experience of being stutterers, Arthur Blank and Christiaan joined forces in 2021 to raise awareness of stuttering and the life-changing approach to treatment available through The Blank Center. This golf fundraiser, now in its fourth year, was conceived as a natural extension of their passions and influence. It continues to go from strength to strength, with many repeat participants already committed to next year’s event, too.

“I am greatly appreciative for everyone who took part,” commented Mr. Arthur M. Blank. “It was a great day of golf and a wonderful opportunity for everyone to meet and learn from the students that the funds raised from this event are impacting directly. Through the participation [of our golfers] and the generous support of our sponsors we were able to secure over $500,000 in funding with all proceeds going directly to the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering.”

Dr. Courtney Byrd is the founding and executive director at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research. She commented: “Arthur Blank and Christiaan Bezuidenhout are wonderful role models for children, teens and adults worldwide. Two brilliant, kind individuals whose extraordinary success inspires those who stutter to never let stuttering stop them from pursuing their dreams and informs the public that people who stutter can accomplish whatever they set their mind to.”

For more information on the wonderful work being done by Dr. Courtney Byrd and the Blank Center team, please visit the website: https://blankcenterforstuttering.org/.