Brandon Black shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Brandon, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: When was the last time you felt true joy?
The last time I felt true joy was at my son’s 2nd birthday party. Looking at him enjoy his friends, pizza and cupcakes made whatever sacrifices I had to make getting to that moment was all worth it!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brandon Black and I’m a husband, father and comedian. I’ve been doing stand up comedy since 2018 and I think my style is unique because it’s natural. It’s me, it’s goofy and I feel like that translates to audiences very well.
Outside of comedy I’m currently working as a special education teacher’s assistant in a resource classroom. For those that don’t know, “resource” is like on campus tutoring where we focus on an area where a child might be struggling and work collectively to improve their skills and instill confidence. Very rewarding work.
On the side of that, I’m working on reviving my clothing brand and writing for tv.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Interesting question, I feel like I was an ambitious creative with infinite optimism in my dreams and what I wanted to be. Rapper, funny man, artist and entrepreneur.
Then you get older and the world sprinkles its pessimism throughout your life. You have to fight to stay creative and maintain your childlike imagination. Most of the people that change the world and leave an impact are masters at keeping their imagination alive. If you’re not careful it’ll die at your 9 to 5!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
If I’m honest I think about giving up at least once a month. Not in life but in stand up comedy. The reason being is this fear of not being able to give my family the life I feel they deserve.
Stand up comedy is a grind like anything else and this grind doesn’t pay. You don’t do it for the money, you do it because you enjoy and love to do stand up. At the same time being a husband and a father you have to provide for your family. Unless you just don’t give a sh*t and you’re all in with it.
For me personally I can’t allow my wife to bear the burden of taking care of us while I grind even though it might be extremely lucrative one day. I just have to find that balance.
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 would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say being loyal , a man of your word, family and having integrity is what really matters to me. In my opinion, it’s rare to find genuinely loyal people in this world these days. When you find that hold on to it tight. We’ve been taught to be loyal to you and you only and I think a lot of people young and old took that to heart.
Be a man of your word. Do what you say you’re going to do.
Family is self explanatory. Love those that love you. You’re all each other has. Friends included.
And lastly have integrity. Stand firm on your beliefs! Don’t compromise yourself. Do the right thing and right by others and you’ll go far.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I had 10 years left I’d do every single thing that pumps the slightest bit of fear in my heart. Every big thought, idea, product, joke, adventure, whatever! I’d do it and not think twice about it like we usually do!
At that point nothing else matters but making memories with your loved ones and friends. Cars, clothes, etc don’t matter. It’s just about living life to the fullest.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambrandonblack?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@brandonxblack?si=_CXcHYBk022mjQq3
- Other: TikTok: https://youtube.com/@brandonxblack?si=_CXcHYBk022mjQq3
