An Interview With Fotis Georgiadis
Use language that is inclusive and universal. As society and societal norms change, you want to adapt and not be offensive. I’ve learned not to use gender specific language, and I have learned to know my audience, geographical demographics and more. This is key, as you can lose your entire audience by not using language that is inclusive.
At some point in our lives, many of us will have to give a talk to a large group of people. What does it take to be a highly effective public speaker? How can you improve your public speaking skills? How can you overcome a fear of speaking in public? What does it take to give a very interesting and engaging public talk? In this interview series called “5 Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Public Speaker” we are talking to successful and effective public speakers to share insights and stories from their experience. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Keith L. Brown.
Keith L. Brown’s Biography: (Known Nationally and Globally as “Mr. I’m Possible, Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Keith L. Brown, knew early on that the mentality of, “I’M POSSIBLE” instead of impossible, would take him far. He has overcome systematic labels of, “Special-Ed,” and, “At-Risk” to become one of the most sought-after Professional Empowerment Speakers of our time. Named a, “World Class Speaker,” by International Speakers Network (ISN), and, “Social Impact Hero,” by, Thrive Global, Keith has served as a, “Client Referral Consultant,” for A&E’s hit series, “Beyond Scared Straight,” and has been a legislative Speech Writer and Liaison since 2000. He is a frequent guest on I-Heart, Sirius, Radio-One and other media outlets on issues ranging from Education, Motivation, Social Justice, Youth and Family Advocacy, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Maximizing one’s Purpose. Keith is also the Lead Coach and Trainer at the “I’m Possible Institute.” His latest book, “Talk I$ Expensive: Communicating Effectively to Expand Your Impact, Influence and Income, dispels the long held belief, “Talk Is Cheap,” and gives readers a fresh perspective, real life scenarios and tangible solutions.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I was born in historic Savannah, Georgia and raised in Jamaica, Queens, NY. I grew up in a blended family, with loving, nurturing parents. While my siblings and I were close for the most part, there was foreshadowing in terms of my career path. At family gatherings, I was very vocal and animated, often telling stories to aunts, uncles, and family friends. My older siblings would always tell me to “stop showing off;” in addition, I was labeled “special-ed,” in school, primarily because I talked to much and wanted to give all the answers. Still, I won the Spelling Bee at my school in 4th grade and participated in the city-wide spelling bee. In Junior High School, I won a district wide speak-out contest and in High School, I was on the debate team, in the drama club, was a Horatio Alger award winner for my community service and recitation of “Theme for English B,” by Langston Hughes at an all-borough speech contest. Although deficient in areas, I was still voted “Most Likely to Succeed,” by my peers. I was an athlete (Football, Handball, Bowling, and Wrestling); however, I excelled more in activities that required me to speak. I was active in the Methodist Youth Fellowship at Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church, as well as the Youth Troupe at the Black Spectrum Theatre Company, where my Drama Coach, the late Whitfield Sims Jr. was my mentor and another father-figure. I spent my summers with family members in Savannah, Georgia and in 1985, when one set of my parents moved to Georgia, I remained in NY for my Senior Year, which was very pivotal, as in that one year, I matured exponentially, as I my twin cousins and I became independent as Seniors in High School. I also became a member of the NYU Players Theatre troupe, as a “guest actor.” Growing up in both Georgia and New York helped shaped who I am today. I grew up in close knit communities with friends who are still my friends today. The “village” was real back then, and my gifts and talents were nurtured, despite being labeled and mis-labeled in school. There were dark moments and uncertainty in my childhood too; however, I was resilient and am thankful for my childhood and adolescent years, for the most part.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I must share two. One occurred during my childhood when one of my paternal grandmothers would travel on the Amtrak train with me and encourage me to say speeches in front of the passengers on board. She would remove the cold chicken and sandwiches from the showbox that held them. I would take the shoebox and go from train car to train car saying mini-speeches and the passengers would place coins in the shoebox, which was my first pay as a speaker. While she was my first agent, she and one of my maternal grandmothers, who encouraged me to say Speeches in Vacation Bible School during the Summers, lit the flame of speaking during my childhood.
During the 1998–1999 School Year, I was teaching English, Speech and Drama at East Laurens HS in Dublin, GA and teaching Business English at the Heart of Georgia Technical College (now Oconee Fall-Line Technical College). During the Spring, we had an all-school assembly, with a very good motivational speaker. After school that day at Drama Rehearsal, my gifted thespians, called the “Eastside Players,” kept saying, “You do that every day Mr. Brown.” Little did they know, I was battling internally of whether to remain at the school or pursue another phase of my purpose as a Professional Speaker. They had no idea they were speaking life into my purpose, and although leaving the school was a very difficult decision, I ultimately left that great school, great scholars, and great community, to Educate and Empower nationally and globally. Another defining moment was the night I worked out at a local gym and on my way home, the song “You’re Next in Line For a Miracle,” by Gospel great, Pastor Shirley Caesar, was on the radio. I wept uncontrollably and a 10-minute ride home took over an hour. It was time. I was already speaking part-time around the state and even nationally, during the summer months and weekends; however, I took a leap of Faith at the end of the 1999 School Year and the rest is history.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I’ve had tons of interesting stories happen since I began my speaking career. One that stands out occurred early on in my speaking career. I was the keynote speaker for the McNair Scholars Program at the University of Tennessee. The event was held in a ballroom that was adjoined to another ballroom. When I was done, I noticed an Education Association was having its conference in the other ballroom and something rose in me to network with the attendees. I gave a gratuity to the event staff and asked for an apron, which they gave me. While the Conference attendees were on a break, I proceeded to get on the microphone and announced the following: Everyone please return to your seats; we’re about to resume our program. Everyone started moving towards their seats, even the Conference planning committee members, who were seated up front. When everyone was seated, I went to the microphone again, and began chanting, “G-Double-O-D…J-O-B…Good Job! Good Job!” Everyone joined in and when done, I said, “Give yourselves a hand.” Then I removed my apron, and said, “I am Keith L. Brown, Motivator of the Millennium,” which was before my “Mr. I’m Possible” moniker. I told my story of being labeled special ed and at risk. I then told of how I became an Educator and ultimately a Professional Speaker. Not one person questioned me, and no one asked me to leave the stage. I literally gave a 15–20-minute keynote, and at the end, I had the sound person play the song, “I’ll be there,” by the Jackson Five, which has been my signature closing song most of my speaking career. When I was done, I received a standing ovation. And I sat in the audience, as if I were supposed to be there. I took a huge risk that day, one that could have damaged my speaking career. However, it helped propel my speaking career, as I was invited to speak at schools throughout the Southeast. Nearly 20 years later, I am still connected to this Education Association. That risk reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, “Sometimes we have to go out on a limb, as that’s where all the fruit is.”
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
It happened in the year 2000, and it wasn’t funny back then; however, it became more and more hilarious through the years. I was hired as keynote speaker for the Georgia School Nutrition Conference. It was my first full year as a professional speaker, and I did not do my research on audience demographics, as many in the audience were elderly women who worked in school cafeterias. Instead of studying the audience members as they entered or getting audience demographics from my client beforehand- I remained backstage until I was introduced. When my name was called, I burst on stage, dancing to a rap song called, “Shake It Fast,” and these school nutrition workers were in shock, as they listened to a song focused on shaking certain body parts. It was downhill from there, and I could not wait to end the most embarrassing moment of my speaking career. If you could have seen the expressions on the hundreds of faces present, you would have balled over in laughter, much like I did years later, after getting over the trauma of the moment. I thought my career was over! However, in 2002, I got another opportunity with the same organization, and I opened with “Celebration,” by Kool and the Gang and “Taking Care of Business,” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive. The crowd loved it, and my speech went very well. The most embarrassing moment is equally the funniest.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Of course, I am thankful for my parents, especially my mom, who promoted my gift of speaking and placed me in extra-curricular activities, where I could excel as a speaker. I will, however, focus more on three men who were very instrumental in who I am from the standpoint of living my purpose. I mentioned my Drama Director/Coach, Mr. Whitfield Sims Jr. He used to get order in rehearsals by using the term “17.” I never knew why; however, for the past 28 years, as both an educator and speaker- I use that term in my messages when I want to bring order. In addition, there was Dr. Gerald Deas, one of my mentors at Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church, who started an organization called “The Power of One.” I was the President and he always empowered me to use my gift of speaking on local radio stations in New York, as well as among my peers around the borough of Queens and throughout the city, as an advocate for positive change. Finally, there was Dr. R.L. Stevenson, who was my mentor and Drama Director in the “Players By the Sea,” at my alma mater, THE Savannah State University. He was a no-nonsense individual back then, as well as one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. He was no nonsense when it came to operating in excellence. He demanded his scholars to be top-notch, and he helped shape who I am today as a speaker and servant leader. Dr. Stevenson exposed me and my fellow thespians by ensuring we competed in prestigious theatre competitions nationwide. He wore three-piece suits in 90-degree humid weather and smoked a pipe. He is still one who I greatly admire, respect, and see as a father figure, even though we don’t talk often enough. These three men were my “three wise men,” outside of my family, and their examples at different stages of my life added much value to my life.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging and intimidating. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Absolutely. Treat daily conversations in small circles like a training ground. Those individuals who desire to pursue professional speaking must know their stage, event or conference is the daily one on one or small group conversations they are having daily. Speaking is a conversation, often had with small to medium to large audiences. In addition, do not operate from a mindset of failure. Operate from a mindset of this being a “calling.” When it is a calling, you don’t operate from a success vs failure mindset; you operate from a mindset of walking in your calling/purpose- and when you do that, you are already succeeding. I would also be bluntly honest and say there will be times when failure occurs; it happened to me at the School Nutrition Speech and others in my career; however, when it’s your calling- you don’t give up; you grow up; you get sharpened; you get a coach who can help guide your calling/purpose; you use your setbacks as lessons to share in your messages; you share your story and be transparent with audiences; finally, do not pursue this path for the applause but for the advocacy; while standing ovations are great; it is far greater to stand for a cause you can passionately share with others, many of whom are thirsting for inspiration and hope in their lives. When you do these, your impact, influence, and income will expand, as will your success and more importantly- your significance.
What drives you to get up every day and give your talks? What is the main empowering message that you aim to share with the world?
I am honestly driven by the opportunity to re-shape the mindset and change the paradigm of the hundreds of thousands of individuals I inspire and empower in person annually. I am driven by the gift I have been Blessed with, to stand before individuals and share my global messages of “not impossible-I’m Possible,” and “Talk Is Expensive,” both of which are my signature messages, and both are liberating and life changing. Both messages, when embraced, can not only shift the lives of individuals I address, but their families and communities as well. I’m driven by the opportunity to share my own story of resilience and the power of overcoming. I am driven by the many tears that flow in my audiences, as I know a purging and cleansing of thought will lead to not just motivation, inspiration, elevation, and education- but most important- implementation. When implementation occurs, lives are changed for the better. I am driven by an inner drive to change the world for the better by using my voice, the same voice that sat in Special-Ed classes yet excelled as a Speaker and Writer in all my years in School. Finally, I am driven by knowing I am a solution for so many who feel there are no solutions. This is my purpose, and it drives me daily. I desire for the entire World to know, their goals, dreams and visions are “not impossible,” but I’m Possible. The message of “I’m Possible,” is so liberating, as it empowers individuals to pursue their dreams and goals and take accountability for their own path to purpose. With that in mind, it is essential my listeners know, “Talk Is Expensive,” meaning their words can either positively affect or infect their present and future. While actions may speak louder than words; it is the WORDS that move people to action.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
I am very excited about promoting the “Talk Is Expensive” book nationally and globally; it is already required reading in many schools and institutions of higher learning for freshmen. I am also excited about expanding our “Fathers not farther,” program, which aims to coach/train dads on how to effectively Reflect, Respect, Protect and not Neglect their children, while giving them the tools to be fathers who are connected to their inner emotions, which can lead to better mental health. We also work with young fathers, who may not be equipped to be an effective dad. I am also very passionate about expanding our coaching program and assisting those who have a serious desire to speak professionally. Finally, I am excited about expanding my gift of speaking by taking it to more aspects of the entertainment industry, offering more positive images that can be just as exciting as the many negative images on television.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite life lesson quote is an original one: “Don’t wait for opportunity to knock; leave the door open so it can come right in.” I never waited on opportunity to knock; I left the figurative door open by networking with everyone I met. To this day, I never meet a stranger. I speak to everyone, which often opens opportunities for me. If I waited for opportunity to knock, I may have missed out on speeches and other opportunities to enhance my purpose and enhance the lives of others.
Ok, thank you for all that. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Public Speaker?” Please share a story or example for each.
- Enthusiasm- If you desire to inspire youth and young adults for example- you must have enthusiasm for your craft and your message. While you don’t have to run around the arena or building like I typically do, your audience must feel your passion and see your enthusiasm, which will in turn make them more likely to listen to you rather than texting and being on TikTok.
- You should have a Story that Inspires and Empowers, and you must master the art of telling it Well. We all have a story, and audiences love to hear from those who tell stories effectively. Your story is not just something to tell; it is a tool that teaches life lessons. I often share my story of going from “Special-Ed to Specialty Speaker,” and it resonates with my audiences, many of whom are in Education settings. When you are an effective storyteller, you will be more relevant to those who are listening. Effective storytellers will open with a story to capture the audience early and end with a story individuals can take with them as they depart.
- Audience Engagement is key if you desire to be a highly effective speaker; you may achieve this by doing a call and response, where the audience repeats what you say. You may also be highly engaging by opening your presentation with music, as it is universal; songs such as “Celebration,” “Gonna Fly Now,” from the Rocky Soundtrack, “Ya’ll Ready for This,” from the Space Jam Soundtrack, and many others, will get the crowd engaged early. Music will set the atmosphere and get your audience up, moving, and excited about listening to your message. I begin and end my messages with music. I often end with the song, “I’ll Be There,” by the Jackson 5, and I use the song as a symbol of people being there to support each other.
- You should be spontaneous and flexible. Do NOT come with a readymade message. Why not? Atmosphere changes. People change during the speech/event. You can have an outline to guide you; however, what happens when one of the people in the audience has on sunglasses and is sitting up front. I cannot predict this and write it in my speech; instead, I may have this individual to stand and say, “I’m wearing these sunglasses on the inside because my future is so bright.” I have done these many times, especially with youth and young adults. I also bring volunteers up during my speech and I do life skills exercises, such as using “Uno Cards,” to show audiences the power of being able to “Reverse,” when going in the wrong direction or avoiding being “skipped in life,” by being prepared for opportunities. My Draw Four is typically having audiences repeat 4 affirmations that will inspire and empower them.
- Use language that is inclusive and universal. As society and societal norms change, you want to adapt and not be offensive. I’ve learned not to use gender specific language, and I have learned to know my audience, geographical demographics and more. This is key, as you can lose your entire audience by not using language that is inclusive.
As you know, many people are terrified of speaking in public. Can you give some of your advice about how to overcome this fear?
With technology being so widespread, one of the best ways to overcome the fear of speaking in public is doing “Live” videos on social media; this will help individuals feel like they are delivering a message to an audience. In addition, when speaking in public- focus some on an area instead of the audience. This will help overcome the fear of speaking in public. Knowing your material is another way of overcoming the fear of speaking in public. When you know your material, you can deliver it with confidence.
You are a person of huge influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
As an individual of huge influence, the movement I would inspire that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people would be the movement to “Have the Nerve to Serve.” It takes “nerve to serve,” as we must realize many of those, we serve may not appreciate our service. Still, if “service” and “servant leadership” were movements, we would be able to create a culture and climate of caring and rid society of many of its ills. If “Have the Nerve to Serve,” were a movement, we would see a universal shift that would place more emphasis on values rather than valuables, on a “peace of mind,’ rather than a “piece of mine,” on going from merely being human to being humane. Imagine a movement where serving was the rule, not the exception. I’d love to spearhead that movement.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
I would love to have lunch with Tyler Perry, not simply because of his celebrity status or the relevant historic work he’s done in film and television; I would like to have lunch with him to hear his story and how he was able to transform pain into purpose and trauma into a trailblazing career. I would love to listen to him elaborate on how many of his female characters are symbols for and embody women in his family who were resilient and overcame being “invisible” in many instances. In many respects, I believe my own mother, a compassionate woman with a nurturing spirit, who taught school for over 45 years, prior to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, was somewhat “invisible,” as well, in many aspects of her life, as are many African American Women. While Trailblazing Tyler and I would talk about the Fine Arts, Theatre, Film and so forth- at the core of our lunch would be how this multi-media mogul, almost gave up on his dreams, and one sold out show, turned a “dream deferred,” into a global vision realized.
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
Your readers may follow me on:
Twitter via keithlbrown1911,
Instagram: keithlbrown_;
Facebook: keithlbrown/mriampossible;
TikTok: keithlbrown_ and;
via the web: keithlbrown.com.
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Keith L Brown Of 2020 Enterprises On The 5 Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Public Speaker was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
