We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Randolph Maxwell Bruny. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Randolph below.
Hi Randolph, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I found my purpose in my, pain. At the vulnerable age of 15 years old, I attempted to commit suicide. I now openly and confidently share my story now, because mental health and suicide awareness is a vital, and silent reoccurring issue marginalized within our communities, and increasingly growing within youth and other MEN. The need for counseling, therapy, social-emotional curriculum, and advocacy should no longer be optional, but mandatory.
Presently I work as both a School Guidance Counselor, with K-12 children/adolescent and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor providing outside therapy to clients, My very own personal experience, is what gave me the desire and accessibility to help other people battling with those issues. I possess the need to serve other people by helping them cope with their problems. It truly is rewarding to learn that you can actually help others find solutions to their problems.
Finding my purpose as an educator & counselor has benefited me in many ways. I have become resilient against setbacks and also a precursor to being an effective leader, and working in a such a meaningful career that can make a positive impact. I also consider myself to be a change agent, facilitating behavioral change, helping improve the client’s ability to both establish and maintain relationships, and enhance client’s effectiveness and their ability to cope.
My purpose is, personal. It’s my story, my experience, and more importantly; a part in my journey. It’s profound, and rewarding, offering a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on individual lives and on society by fostering mental well-being and resilience in others. So for now this is heart-work for me. The rest is still; unwritten…
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am 32-year-old, Brooklyn New York born and raised native. My background and nationality are of Haitian and Cuban decent. I have earned a Bachelor of Science from Long island University in Childhood Urban Education; with a concentration in Psychology, both a Master of Science from Alfred University in School Counseling, and Certificate of Advanced Study in Mental Health Counseling, and a second Master of Science degree from The College of Saint Rose in Educational Leadership and Administration. Presently, I am a School Guidance Counselor, in the NYC Department of Education, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and Adjunct Professor teaching in higher education. I am also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Incorporated.
I am a highly motivated and passionate educator with exceptional experience over 10 years in teaching, counseling, and leadership. As an educator and counselor, I’ve continually found my greatest successes to have been achieved in the areas of student development, social and emotional learning, and curriculum enrichment in both K-12 schools and higher education.I have established and lead diverse teaching techniques. I am known as a versatile contributor with experience in core functions, rigid educational backgrounds, hands-on student performance evaluations, and the ability to coordinate curriculum. Additionally, I strive to empower and address all students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development needs. Through leadership, equity, and advocacy, I serve a vital role in schools by implementing educational programs that promote, enhance, and maximize all student success.
I have coordinated and led school wide SEL Professional Development Trainings; organized and initiated extracurricular programs, facilitated youth mentorship programs such as NYC’s Barack Obama’s initiative “My Brother’s Keeper Alliance” and currently serving for over 5 years as Director of Counseling services for a nonprofit organization called “No Rest Until Success Foundation”, which strives to promote educational awareness to NYC residents to keep everyone up to date on educational issues and also to help correct and aid students with respect to their educational needs; under founder Dr. Anesha Fuller, in Brooklyn, NYC. All these opportunities have enabled me to develop strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills, which allow me to cultivate a supportive learning environment and reinforce the school’s standards, policies, and goals.
I aspire to soon obtain a Doctor of Philosophy, PhD to focus on research, applied skills, and leadership in innovation and continuous improvement for all educators in both K-12 and higher education settings, as well as mental health professionals grappling with current issues in marginalized communities.
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?
Looking back, I believe that three of the most impactful qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge in my journey is resilience, perseverance, and orientation. Having these skills allowed me to find power in my purpose, and navigate through my ability to champion through difficulties and challenges I faced. They were also impactful in my journey, because it had a direct impact on how I feel about myself, mental/physical/emotional balance, and lastly, my independence. The advice i would give folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these is to know your “WHY”. Knowing your “why” is the underlying reason or purpose behind your actions, decisions, and goals. It’s the deep-rooted motivation that fuels your passion and gives meaning to your efforts. Understanding your “why” involves introspection and self-discovery. It’s about uncovering your core values, beliefs, and desires
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
At a very young age, my parents taught and instilled in me two things: 1. Introducing me to the love of Christ; my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and 2. The value and importance of Education. As two immigrants from Haiti, they always taught my siblings and I that “Knowledge is your Power” and how necessary going to school and getting an education is the key to success. My faith in God, is what favors me. Growing up, going to church always felt like something I HAD to do. It was’t until my own personal experiences with the Lord, I seek him more and my now interpersonal relationship and love for Christ is a vital NEED. We know we have a purpose because he created us on purpose, for a purpose.Two of my favorite biblical scriptures 1. “I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me” Philippians 4:13. 2. “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11-14
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thenorestuntilsuccessfoundation.org/members
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randolph.bruny.7
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randolph-bruny-09590993/
Image Credits
Steve O. Williams
