Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ethan Brisby. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ethan, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
Empathy, for me, is a cornerstone of understanding and connection. It’s rooted in my lifelong pursuit of knowledge. My late grandmother, “Nanette” whose wisdom is tattooed on my heart used to always tell me, “Ethan, in all your getting, get an understanding.” This approach guides my empathetic journey, and is rooted in building awareness.
Growing up, I used to love playing John Madden Football and NBA Live Basketball video games with my cousin Anthony. A common trait of the best players in these games is that they possess a very high “Awareness” rating. So then, I believe true empathy starts with keen observation and connecting the dots. You have to be someone who is very aware of the variables that cause people to feel and believe the way they do. I have often flat out asked a person, “Who are you?” The answers people give to this question are very telling. Many times, a person’s response will basically amount to “I don’t know.”
It’s not that people actually do not know who they are, it’s that they have never had a chance to critically think about it in a welcoming space set aside from their day to day toil. The majority of people love being told how to think, and from there they find their independent voice and creativity. This is actually the core philosophy behind #TheSHIFTApproach, a set of pillars I created in 2010 and now use in a ed tech company I operate, SHIFT Enterprise Academy.
Moreover, understanding leads to solutions, and I’m driven by the desire to help others overcome challenges they may not even realize they face.
We live in a world where surface level reasoning rules the day. However, in the realm of empathy it takes a deep understanding to be actively empathetic. In my memoir, “Life and Times of Ethan Brisby: The Roaring 30s,” I recount growing up as the only black male on my baseball teams and in my elementary classroom from 3rd – 5th grade. Then later at the beginning of my professional career, I found myself as the youngest person in the room.
These unique vantage points allowed me to observe people from diverse backgrounds. Always sticking out as being “different” or “misunderstood” has became the bedrock of my empathetic nature, allowing me to relate to individuals regardless of their race, social class, or any outward appearances. This connection forms a bridge towards solution-based thinking. I always want people to find a way to just keep going.
I used to sale athletic shoes in high school and in my early 20s, and I was good at it. So, my biggest challenge became not if I could get the sale, but if I could find a common denominator between me and the customer. Did they like the Dallas Cowboys, were they a Texas A&M Aggie, had they seen the latest movie that had just come out. Finding a common denominator and a sense of connection helped me then with sales, it helps me now with understanding how people think about their circumstances.
Another part of why being an empathetic person is a part of my life is because it is simply how I was raised. In my family I did
not inherit monetary wealth, but I instead inherited giving and receiving deep meaningful love. So then, as I traversed some of my most treacherous situations in life, I was able to still attract love and empathy from good Samaritan along the way. This kept me going, and I am always happy to pay it forward, because I know God works through people.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Absolutely, I’d be glad to share more about my journey and my current focus. I’m Ethan Brisby, an entrepreneur, scribe, and servant leader for positive change. I’ve poured my experiences and insights into my memoir, “The Life & Times of Ethan Brisby Volume II: The Roaring 30s,” which delves into my life, challenges, and perspectives on personal growth and economic development based on my amazing experiences during my 30s. From becoming a father at a young age to gaining my education as a non traditional student. Being misunderstand, trying and failing, trying and failing. Before ultimately breaking through into a new galactic era of my life.
Professionally, I founded and expanded SHIFT Enterprise Academy into East Africa in 2021, a platform dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal development. It’s not just a business venture; it’s an ecosystem of ambitious minds and start up businesses aimed at empowering individuals, especially the younger generation (age 21-40), with the tools and mindset needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
What excites me the most about SHIFT is its potential to catalyze meaningful change. We are developing a SAAS that will allow our community to grow with open access to various programs and learning tools designed to help them take their ideas to the market leveraging digital marketing, artificial intelligence, automation, big data, and more. Through mentorship, education, and resources, we’re creating a ripple effect that uplifts local economies and fuels positive impact. I believe in nurturing talents, building bridges, and offering opportunities, all of which are at the core of SHIFT’s mission.
In addition to SHIFT, I’m deeply involved in real estate and property development. My academic background is in urban planning (B.A. Urban Studies, Morehouse College) and urban development (Master’s in Land & Property Development, Texas A&M University). I’ve also embarked on collaborative projects with inspiring individuals, like chronicling stories that resonate with my values. If I had one wish, it would be that my enterprises grow to the point where I can facilitate the necessary funding to bring some of my bigger futuristic ideas to life. Real estate development and land planning is so important to how the developing world will evolve during this generation.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about the upcoming launch of the paperback version of The Roaring 30s. It’s an extension of my mission to share insights that can transform lives. There are also plans for the “Legacy for Tomorrow,” a capital campaign aimed at expanding SHIFT’s impact even further. We are utilizing crowdfunding by leveraging Kick Starter to expand our foot print beyond East Africa into other emerging markets with our hybrid in-person and virtual ed tech programming. I believe we have created some very unique rewards that our community and extend family of supporters will enjoy. People can find our campaign on the Kick Starter site.
In summary, my journey is a blend of entrepreneurship, personal growth, community empowerment through teaching, and leadership. I find immense joy in connecting with the right high performing people in a meaningful way, sharing true stories of overcoming adversity and defeat, and creating opportunities for others to become the best version of themselves. Together, we’re building a future that is not only successful but also meaningful and purpose-driven.
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?
Sure. The three areas I can pinpoint for me, and there were many, but three that stick out at this time is number one, my faith. I tell my students; you have to be kind of crazy to want to change the world. Or even if you want to accomplish any meaningful goal. So for me, my faith is the cornerstone of my existence. My mother brainwashed me in a good way as a child, she would consistently tell me, “Ethan, you can be whatever you want to be.”
I was crazy enough to maintain that childlike belief as an adult even when I was hit and on the ground. As a matter of fact, when I found myself face down on the ground bloodied and bruised from falling short, that’s when I was at my best, because I knew I was about to have to start over and at that time, I could recreate myself into anyone I want to be.
This feeds into resiliency, which is another trait that is so vital. I always tell my students that you are not getting better until or unless you are pushing yourself past your mental limits. It is at the very moment where you are getting tired that the opportunity for growth presents itself. So for me, being resilient is very important. And it takes work, so resilience might look like unplugging from anything that is not adding value to your life or pushing towards your greatest good. These are illustrations of discipline and self-control.
When I was younger and enjoying the party lifestyle, anytime I had one or two too many drinks, discipline and self-control were the first two things that went out the window. So I had to put a great deal of restrain on when I drink socially or even in my home. My self-awareness helped me see this as an opportunity for growth and positive change towards realizing my best self in a tangible way.
Consider a plant, it just instinctively grows towards the light. In that same way there is ALWAYS a light at the end of the tunnel if you just keep going. And it is that light that is trying to pull you out of your idea of darkness. You have to be able to hear yourself think to see it, feel it, and become it. Which is why I emphasize “unplugging,” which helps limit distractions and increase focus. It takes a great deal of resilience and faith to keep marching towards that light especially after you’ve been hit or fallen short 5, 6, 7, 8, or more times. Man and woman make the plans for their lives, but God tests your heart to see if you will allow the preparation or the pruning process to take place before you realize the completion of that plan.
A third practical skill or area of knowledge that has helped me is being able to communicate. I have always been an avid reader and I love to write. I love to write my thoughts in a liberated way by where I express myself in a brutally honest fashion. Most of what I have written is just in my personal archive. I see myself having a museum some day that captures the essence of my life. So I save save many artifacts related to my life. Moreover, for me, the ability to say what I want. The ability to listen to what others want, and actually care. These are all forms of communication.
Professional communication is also an important part of my journey. I believe there is a certain way to do many things, and even though I sometimes feel like I want to be far, far, far outside of the box, I still understand that language breaks barriers, so then, I know there is a time and a place for everything. This includes a time for me to communicate in a professional manner. This is exemplified in one of Dr. Robert Franklin’s Five-Wells he introduced during his time as the 10th President of Morehouse College, “Well Spoken.”
There are so many skills and knowledge bases I have had to tap into over the years to realize progress and remain creative. What is most important is that you remain hungry for knowledge and know thyself, because the way of the master is the way of the student.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely, I am in a season of harvest and want to find as many workers and harvesters as possible. I am most interested in partnering and collaborating with corporate sponsors who value education and entrepreneurship. I believe what’s being built with SHIFT Enterprise Academy especially in East Africa is an idea that has met its time. So I want to engage with foundations, corporate entities, and government institutions who have an existing foot print with youth and young adults. Moreover, those who’s mission aligns with a dedication to fostering innovation, knowledge, and skills that empower individuals to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape. This may also include educational institutions that want to offer our open access learning modules to their students. In terms of individuals, I always have room in my life for more good people, so reach out and let’s see what we can build. A few ways that are currently available are of course our crowd funding campaign “A Legacy for Tomorrow,” which is on Kick Starter. We are using this to build momentum before launching a larger capital campaign. And of course I have no shortage of urban planning and development proposals to share with government officials and fund managers. Reach out to me on LinkedIn: Ethan Brisby or through the SHIFT e-mail [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shiftenterpriseacademy.com/
- Instagram: @shiftenterpriseacadmy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanbrisby/
- Other: https://sites.google.com/site/ejbenterprisesportfolio/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/legacyfortomorrow/legacy-for-tomorrow
https://books2read.com/theroaring30s
