Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sidney Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Sidney, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
When in those situations, I think that I think differently than most. I believe that if God put me in that room, then that means that I was meant to be there in that moment and time. I credit Him for all the successes and for giving me the strength to dominate in those spaces since I was in high school.
In order to be successful in these situations of being the only African-American in the room, I learned to embrace it and use it as motivation to help others who look like me who are in similar environments. It isn’t easy, because there is a lot of covert/behind the scenes racism that goes on against us constantly. A lot of times, we are misunderstood and our words can be misconstrued.
Because of this, I have made sure to make my presence felt, whether verbally or nonverbally. A big part of success is knowing how to be confident, humble, and observant all at the same time.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Outside of my professional job in sports sales, I have several brands of my own that I have been starting to build simultaneously. Currently at age 22, I feel like I can build all of these brands up significantly by age 25-27.
The Brown Report radio show/podcast – This would be my main personal brand that I started during my senior year in college at Bethune-Cookman University. I started out just focusing particularly on the Bethune-Cookman football team, but over time, it has now grew to become a podcast that focuses on all aspects of life. I have advertised The Brown Report in the slogan “One Man, Four Personalities,” which are Sid, Sidney, & Mr. Brown, whom ultimately combine to create the fourth personality: The Brown Report. I base my commentary on being very blunt and straightforward in my delivery, but I add cleverness, humor, facts, and knowledge to complement it.
Sidney Brown Studios (YouTube) – I have always had a passion for creating stories through video. Through vlogs during my college marching band days, dynamic sports highlights and graphics for high school and college athletes, and filming events, my main satisfaction is seeing the smile on people’s faces when they can have videos of some of their greatest memories in their back pocket for life.
Sidney Brown’s Online Writing Services – I was fortunate to be a writing tutor for all 4 years in college. However, I have found that people need more help with resumes, cover letters, and essays early on in their careers as well. My goal is to make sure that people can have polished documentation in order to put themselves in a position to compete when applying for internships, job, and fellowships. I also offer interview tips as well.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three things that impacted me the most on my journey are:
– Don’t forget where you came from. – Being from the town of Hendersonville, North Carolina, which is a small town, I can honestly say that I was raised by a village since birth, so I love that I still have the opportunity to mentor many students past and present from my alma mater, Hendersonville High School.
– Whatever you do (or not do) in college will show in your life later on. – I believe it is very interesting on how everyone’s paths during and after college are so different. Based on what I’ve observed from watching others, there are many ways to be successful post-graduation, but there are even more ways to set yourself up for failure post-graduation. There are many cautionary tales for us to take heed to.
– Have your own sense of style. – Honestly, I think my life took a turn when I started to develop my own unique ways of handling business, mentoring students, and even developing my own sense of fashion style. It only has helped me grow my confidence as a person and professional.
My advice to anyone – Be yourself. If you want to change things about yourself, make sure that you are doing it for YOU and what God wants you to be, not for the world, because the world is fickle, and will turn on you in half a heartbeat.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Outside of my Heavenly father, my earthly father, Earl Brown is the most influential person in my life.
Who was the one who gave me tough love and taught me how to be a man? – Earl Brown
Whenever I lacked confidence in certain things, who was the one that lit a fire under my (behind) and got me out of my own head? – Earl Brown
Who is the one who defends me and guided me on how to navigate negative situations and turn into peaceful, positive ones? – Earl Brown
Who was the one that showed up to almost every football game and band concert when I lived with him, and traveled multiple times to support me while I was in college 8 hours away? – Earl Brown
Let’s just say, I can go on and on about my dad. But, it’s important that good black fathers are celebrated.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @iamsidneybrown / @sidneybrownstudios / @thebrownreportshow
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidneypbrown/
- Twitter: @iamsidneybrown
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SidneyBrownStudios
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