We were lucky to catch up with Brandon Tate recently and have shared our conversation below.
Brandon, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
In the Spring of 2022 I found myself in a conversation with the world renowned expert on childhood trauma, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, just a few weeks before she stepped down from her historic post as California’s first Surgeon General and Chair of First 5 California. We were meeting to discuss messaging strategies for the Stronger Starts campaign to help parents prevent the cycle of Adverse Childhood Experiences (or ACEs) passing to their kids. As a parent of two kids under two at the time, I wanted to know from the leading expert on the topic, how my past ACEs still affected me when I was already successful and resilient?
Dr. Burke Harris didn’t mince words: “Yes, you are resilient. AND the trauma still lives in your body. It could shorten your life if you let it stay that way.” Those words cut deep. They forced me to examine the truth of my resilience—not just as a professional strength, but as a survival mechanism.
This year my husband, Calvin, and I launched Change Craft—a certified LGBT Business Enterprise® and boutique strategic communications firm focused on public relations and advocacy for public health, government, nonprofits, and political organizations. We also just recently published the first of a series of children’s books, which I wrote and he illustrated through our new company—Magic Nights Publishing, to inspire inclusive and imaginative experiences for young readers. We see a world where inclusive literature can mean multiracial LGBTQ+ characters can be featured in the story without having to be the story. I turn 40 this year, and after 20+ years in communications, I’m taking new risks to pursue dreams of paving my own way.
These bold career moves, while raising two young girls, are a testament to my resiliency, but where did it come from?
<b>Resiliency doesn’t have to be born out of adversity, but often it is.
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Growing up gay in Louisiana presented plenty of opportunity for adversity. From a child feeling out of place to an adult finding his way, I learned early on that resilience often comes from overcoming the unwelcomed harshness of life. My coming-out story, like many others, involved rejection, self-hate, and a deep fear of judgment. Witnessing domestic violence while protecting my younger siblings made me grow up faster than any child should. <b>In those years, resiliency looked like strength, but it was about survival. </b>
Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs are traumatic events or repeated exposure to adversity that we experience in childhood while our brains and bodies are still developing. These experiences like divorce, abuse, neglect, violence, or going without things we need take a toll on the body’s natural stress response system and can eventually turn into a condition Doctors call Toxic Stress Response (TSR). While there is no limit to the number of different types of ACEs a youth can experience, medical professionals typically screen with a set of 10 questions to give an ACE score of 0 to 10. In my case, my ACE score is 7.
Growing up, the constant tension of being both a protector and a child placed in impossible situations took its toll. I developed a kind of toughness out of necessity, but it wasn’t until much later that I realized what I had been calling ‘strength’ was really survival. It was an armor I put on every day, but one that became too heavy to wear indefinitely. The weight of those early experiences shaped my resilience, but they also planted the seeds of self-compassion that are only now beginning to take root and grow. In many ways my journey is similar to the stories I’ve helped craft in First 5 California’s award-winning campaign, <i>Stronger Starts</i>, which helps parents and caregivers break the cycle of intergenerational trauma.
Despite the hardship we experienced, my mom always found ways to create love and safety while shielding us from the reality of how tough things were. Her consistent attempts to create safe, stable, nurturing, relationships and environments (or SSNREs) for us provided a buffer against the trauma. Still, she couldn’t stop the times my siblings and I witnessed her be violently abused and disrespected. <b>Resiliency meant maturing faster than my peers to support my mom and siblings when they needed me.</b>
After years of hiding in self-judgement, I tiptoed out of the closet my senior year of high school when I met the first openly gay person I couldn’t dismiss. We became close, and through him, I began to feel it might be okay to be my authentic self. But our relationship ended publicly and painfully when church leaders forced me to sever ties with him. That moment pushed me back into the closet, but it also ignited a desire to fight for acceptance. <b>Sometimes resiliency can mean hiding, until you’re strong enough to reconcile who you are with who they expect you to be. </b>
Moving to California after Hurricane Katrina, I dove headfirst into political advocacy and community organizing. As a leader in the campaign against Prop 8, I believed Californians would stand by their LGBTQ+ friends and loved ones. But the passing of Prop 8 was a punch to the gut. Depression followed, and I left politics for a while. Yet, it was this period of loss and reflection that led me to embrace my truth even more fiercely.
My personal struggles have always intertwined with my professional ambitions. I channeled the pain of rejection and loss into a relentless drive to create campaigns that resonate deeply with marginalized communities. I wasn’t just building brands; I was building spaces for people like me—spaces where authenticity and inclusion aren’t buzzwords but lived realities. I eventually found a new path in marketing, leading impactful public health campaigns like <i>This Free Life</i>, aimed at promoting healthy behaviors within the LGBTQ+ community. That campaign changed lives—and my own. It brought me closer to my true self and led me to Calvin, my husband and partner in life and business.
Just as I had to reconcile my personal identity with societal expectations, my professional life followed a similar trajectory. In marketing, I learned that the most impactful campaigns are those rooted in authenticity and personal truth. Leading <i>This Free Life</i> wasn’t just another job—it was a mission that mirrored my journey of self-acceptance. It reinforced my belief that true change, whether personal or societal, begins with confronting uncomfortable truths and using them as fuel for transformation.
After earning my MBA, I began a new role with Rescue Agency Public Benefit, an innovative and best-in-class social marketing agency focused on making healthy behaviors easier and more appealing. Having just left a leadership role with the LGBTQ Community Center, it was natural that I led Rescue’s LGBTQ+ contract with the FDA. I got in on the ground floor of one of the most exciting and impactful public education campaigns to ever exist for the LGBTQ community at a national level in the US—<i>This Free Life</i>. I had the privilege of leading this new brand from concept to completion. We built a diverse and effective campaign grounded in science, tested with community, and designed to inspire change.
In Calvin I finally met my equal. While the relationship took work (and still does), falling in love was effortless. People find it funny that we met on a dating app, but within a couple months of meeting we were committed and have never looked back, now a decade later. Early in our relationship my resiliency was tested. When someone outted Calvin to his family in Thailand, they called and completely cut him off, financially and otherwise. He wanted to move out of our apartment so as not to burden me with his situation. I refused to let that happen. <b>Resiliency meant sticking by the person I love; it meant doing it together. </b>
Fast forward past moving to Los Angeles, adopting our dog Merlot, moving into our first house, and it takes us to COVID in 2020, the year our first daughter, Blake, was born. We were visiting family in Mississippi for the holidays when we got the call that changed our lives. Not only had we matched (meaning a birth mom chose us), but in case the baby girl had been born that same day in a hospital in Texas just a few hours driving distance away. We were instructed to get to the hospital and arrived that night, but for the next 48 hours the hospital refused to allow us in as they protested the notion of our daughter being adopted by two dads. Despite the pathetic, homophobic fight they threw at us, in the end we prevailed and the wishes of Blake’s birth parents were honored. Blake went home with us.
Then just 16 months later while everyone was still wearing masks, we also welcomed Channing into the world. <b>We had built a family, and suddenly being resilient meant so much more. </b>
Resilience can often be the cost of survival, but it also provides opportunities if used wisely. I’ve always been proud of my strength and success born out of the adversity that fueled me. I’ve only recently embraced the flip side of this equation and recognized the toll it’s taken on my physical and mental health. Being honest about my struggles has opened new paths and possibilities for healing and growth. As papa to two amazing young girls, I have a responsibility to take care of myself so that I can be here for them.
I rarely fail at a task before me. This time I am the task. Just as I have been resilient in life, I’m now committed to a dual path where strength comes with an equal dose of vulnerability creating the conditions for my healing and inspiring how I show up as a healing partner to those I love.
<b>As I reflect on my journey, I realize that resilience isn’t just about survival—it’s about transformation.</b> What started as a coping mechanism in the face of adversity has evolved into a tool for creating the life I want for myself and my family. Today, I see resilience not as an end, but as the beginning of new chapters. It has opened doors to creative ventures, deepened my capacity for empathy, and taught me the power of vulnerability in leadership. Now, my mission is not just to endure but to thrive, to show my daughters that true strength comes from balance—between resilience and self-care, between striving and resting, between holding on and letting go or being brave enough to ask for help or support when I need it.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
<b><i>What I Do & Why It’s Special </i></b>I am the President and Cofounder of Change Craft, a boutique strategic communications firm and certified LGBT Business Enterprise®. We specialize in public relations, advocacy, strategic planning, behavior change, and crisis communications for public health, government, nonprofit organizations, and political campaigns. What sets us apart is our focus on creating powerful messaging that drives meaningful change, particularly for communities who have been historically marginalized or left behind. Our mission is to amplify voices and stories that deserve to be heard, making advocacy not just an act of communication but a tool for societal transformation.
In addition to Change Craft, I’ve also co-launched Magic Nights Publishing, a children’s book company. We’re dedicated to inspiring young readers through inclusive, imaginative stories that feature multiracial and LGBTQ+ characters in everyday narratives—because representation matters not just in who the story is about, but in how the story is told. This project reflects my personal belief that literature should be a mirror for every child to see themselves, without having their identity be the focal point of conflict or drama.
<i><b>What’s Exciting
</b></i>I’m thrilled to announce that Magic Nights Publishing has just released our first and second books in our children’s series, which I wrote and my husband Calvin illustrated. This marks the beginning of an exciting journey to reshape how inclusive literature is approached. Meanwhile, at Change Craft, we are expanding our efforts by working on campaigns that integrate public health messaging with broader social issues like health and wellbeing for LGBTQ+ youth and breaking the cycle of adverse childhood experiences.
I’m also excited about my role as Advisor for the company Zabit and the life-changing support this technology will bring. Zabit is a pre-launch startup that pairs human coaches and AI to provide affordable, accessible behavior change coaching. Initially Zabit is focused on underserved lifestyle habits like screen time, exercise, substance use, and sleep.
As a communications strategist, LGBTQ+ advocate, and author, I’m deeply passionate about using my platform to uplift underrepresented voices. Whether through storytelling, public relations, or community-focused campaigns, my goal is to build a world where inclusivity isn’t the exception, but the rule.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
<b>Resilience</b> Resilience has been the cornerstone of my personal and professional growth. Life will throw challenges your way, but how you bounce back is what defines you. In my case, growing up in a difficult environment and facing adversity shaped my capacity to persevere. For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to see every setback as an opportunity to learn and grow. Resilience is like a muscle—you strengthen it by continuously pushing through, reflecting on your experiences, and staying committed to your goals. Seek challenges that push you out of your comfort zone, and when failure happens (because it will), focus on the lessons learned rather than the loss.
<b>Authenticity</b>
The power of being authentic—both in your personal identity and in your professional work—cannot be understated; albeit, I acknowledge that authenticity can often require a sense of safety or extreme courage. Early in my career, I realized that authenticity wasn’t just a personal value; it was also a professional advantage. In the communications world, especially when advocating for communities historically left behind, people can sense when something isn’t genuine. For those starting their journey, I encourage you to embrace your uniqueness and find people who give you the safe space to be your authentic self. Whether you’re building a brand or developing relationships, staying true to who you are will attract the right opportunities and people. Spend time understanding who you are and what you stand for (which can be hard work to figure out). In every project or conversation, ask yourself: “Is this aligned with my values?”
<b>Strategic Communication
</b>Being able to craft and deliver a message that resonates is a skill that has served me across multiple arenas—whether I’m running public health campaigns, advising on unique crisis communications situations, or writing inclusive children’s books. Understanding your audience and knowing how to connect with them is critical in any profession. For those looking to improve this skill, focus on active listening and empathy. Learn to tell stories that don’t just inform, but inspire action. Practice tailoring your message to your audience’s needs to land on more effective communications. Read, listen, and observe how successful people communicate their ideas. Practice crafting clear, impactful messages and get feedback to refine them.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely! I’m always open to partnering with individuals and organizations that share a passion for advocacy, storytelling, and driving social change. <b>At Change Craft, we are particularly interested in collaborating with nonprofits, government agencies, and mission-driven businesses focused on public health, mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and children and families.</b> We believe in the power of strategic communications to amplify important causes, and we’re always eager to work with partners who have innovative ideas for making a lasting impact. Connect with us at www.TheChangeCraft.com.
Through Magic Nights Publishing, we’re also looking to connect with fellow creatives—authors, illustrators, educators, and advocates—who are committed to creating inclusive content for children. If you’re passionate about reshaping narratives in children’s literature and making diversity and representation a core part of storytelling, we’d love to explore potential collaborations. Hit us up on IG or TikTok @MagicNightsPublishing or visit www.MagicNightsPublishing.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thechangecraft.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicnightspublishing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magicnightspublishing
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonshawntate/
- Twitter: https://x.com/MrBrandonTate
- Other: https://magicnightspublishing.com/ https://tiktok.com/magicnightspublishing https://www.instagram.com/brandonstate/ https://thechangecraft.com/
Image Credits
Kristin Kortmeyer Koko + Lulu Photography https://www.kokoandlulu.com [email protected]
