Story & Lesson Highlights with Brandon Washington of Graduate Hospital Area

Brandon Washington shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Brandon, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
The moments that make me feel the proudest and bring me the most laughter are the ones spent with my daughter. She constantly makes me proud and is so much fun to be around. She can be so silly at times, which always makes me laugh. Recently, she won a beauty pageant and was honored by the City of Philadelphia. She’s truly one of the sweetest and kindest young ladies people have ever met. Everyone always tells me how amazing she is, and I couldn’t be prouder of her character.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brandon Washington. I am an educator, entrepreneur, and community builder from Philadelphia. I teach Technology Education at Hamilton West High School and also serve as a college professor, helping students and professionals learn how to use technology to reach their goals.

Outside the classroom, I lead The Stream Engine, a project focused on giving people access to new technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and gaming while addressing real issues in our communities. I am also the founder of Ron’s Signature Sauce, which brings back my fathers legendary South Street restaurant, Ron’s Ribs. The sauce represents more than great flavor. It carries a story of family, legacy, and purpose. Every bottle supports The Stream Engine and helps transform a piece of Philadelphia’s history into a space for learning and opportunity.

What makes my work unique is how it all connects. Education, entrepreneurship, and culture all work together to empower others. Right now, I am focused on expanding The Stream Engine, teaching people how to use artificial intelligence and business tools to create change, and continuing my fathers mission of building something meaningful for our city.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I had with my father. He was the kind of man who did not just tell you what to do, he showed you how to do it and expected you to do it right. From a young age, he made it clear that “I can’t” was not allowed in our house. He taught me that proper planning prevents poor performance, and that if you are going to do something, you do it with purpose and excellence.

My father built Ron’s Ribs into a South Street landmark, but what he really built was a sense of responsibility in me. He made me understand that carrying his legacy was not just about the restaurant, it was about discipline, consistency, and impact. One of his favorite sayings was, “To whom much is given, much is expected,” and that has always stayed with me. It is why I approach everything I do, whether it is teaching, building The Stream Engine, or reviving Ron’s Signature Sauce, with the mindset that my work should serve others and make a difference.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The defining wound of my life has been losing my father. His passing left a space that can never truly be filled. He was my foundation, my teacher, and my biggest influence. For a long time I struggled to understand how to move forward without him, especially because so much of who I am comes from the lessons he taught me and the example he set.

The only thing that has truly helped me heal has been the birth of my daughter. She brought light back into my life and gave me a reason to keep growing. In many ways she carries the same spirit my father had, strong, curious, and full of love. She reminds me that legacy is not just about what we leave behind but what we continue through the people we love.

Reviving Ron’s Ribs and creating Ron’s Signature Sauce has also been part of my healing. It is how I stay connected to him. Every time I work on the brand or share our story it feels like we are still building something together. It has become a way to turn pain into purpose and to keep his memory alive through action.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The project I am committed to, no matter how long it takes, is revitalizing Rons Signature Sauce and cementing my fathers legacy. This is more than a business to me. It is a promise I made to myself and to him. My father did not build Ron’s Ribs from the ground up, but he carried its legacy forward after purchasing the business from Ms Bea of Bea Beas Lawnside. He continued the tradition of serving the best Black owned barbecue in the city, and through his leadership, Ron’s Ribs became a true symbol of Black excellence and community pride in Philadelphia.

Reviving Rons Signature Sauce is my way of keeping that story alive. Every bottle represents more than flavor, it carries the history, lessons, and spirit of those who came before us. My goal is not just to bring back a brand, but to honor the legacy of a business that has stood as one of the longest running Black owned establishments in Philadelphia. I want people to remember what it represented, excellence, perseverance, and culture. No matter how long it takes, I will keep building on that foundation until the name Rons continues to inspire pride and purpose for generations to come.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I lived with purpose and left something that mattered. That I used what I had to open doors for others. That I carried my fathers legacy forward and built something that connected people, taught them, and reminded them of their own potential.

I want people to remember that I believed in the power of community, creativity, and education. That I stood for growth, excellence, and opportunity. That I gave my best to every student, every project, and every idea that could help someone move forward.

If people say that I helped them believe in themselves, that I showed them how to use what they have to build something meaningful, and that I never stopped pushing for better, then that is the story I want told. Because in the end, it is not about being remembered for success, it is about being remembered for impact.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than