Diversity and Representation | Q&A With Mister Brown
We continue this series of Q&As with Stephanie Feagin asking Mister Brown questions about diversity and representation, aging, and Mister Brown’s work ethic.
The Reward In Work
[2:00] I think we are missing a good work ethic in our society and developing a good work ethic in our kids is important. There is a reward in work and it isn’t always money.
My work ethic came from my mom, my grandmother, and my grandfather. My mom taught us kids a good work ethic by working even though she could make more money on government assistance. At that time, working wasn’t about making the most money. It was about her character, perseverance, and dignity. She eventually worked her way into a much better paying job than she could have gotten receiving welfare.
I want my impact and influence to grow together. It would not be worth it to make more money and not have a positive impact in the world. There is a balance because money can help me to have more of an impact by creating resources to do more work. Also, money can be used to help other organizations and charities who do work all over the world in ways that I am not able to.
“I want my impact and influence to grow together.” -Mister Brown
The Five-Year Plan
[3:50] Ultimately, I would like The Choose Well Program to outlive me. I would like to see our team grow to where there are more speakers other than myself and the Choose Well message can continue even when I’m gone.
I don’t want to be famous in the way the world defines famous. I would love to see our videos in every school because I believe in the message that, “When you make better choices you will live a better life.” I don’t care if people remember me specifically. I just want people to remember to “Choose well.”
I could probably work for a larger organization, but I want to keep my values in tact. It would be faster to have other companies edit my videos and write my content, but I have team members that have my values and who care about The Choose Well Program too. I enjoy investing in and building up a team that I know personally and who can learn new skills that benefit them.
I do realize that people connect with people and that I’m a role model. But I believe The Choose Well Program is more about the message than it is about me.
Diversity and Representation
[6:42] There are not a lot of positive male role models or black male role models in kids’ lives. I appreciate being a positive role model and showing kids what it looks like. I think it throws people off sometimes when they see me speaking in schools. It doesn’t seem to fit with what they know or have heard, but I’m going to bloom where I’m planted.
I encourage kids to bloom where they are planted too. Some kids don’t think much of themselves because they come from small towns or they feel insignificant wherever they are. I want them to know that they have value and are important whether they are in a small town or a large city.
I enjoy speaking at all kinds of schools and I will go anywhere and speak. The Choose Well message can have an impact anywhere. I feel privileged to be able to speak to preschoolers up to the educators. The Choose Well Program is about impacting a whole school culture with the same positive message.
Get Old or Die
[11:30] We look down on aging in our culture. I think that’s wrong. Older people have stories to share with the younger generations. On top of that, you either get old or you die.
Even facing down my fiftieth birthday, I don’t mind aging. I appreciate life. The fact is life is not guaranteed, so we should be thankful for every moment we have to live.
This podcast episode made me reflect on the impact that my mom had on my life. Before The Choose Well Program was around, my mom was modeling making good choices and instilling in her kids a good work ethic. It is my goal that The Choose Well Program will inspire people and schools to make the best choices to live the best lives possible.
