Brandon Maurice Frame is on the Move!

“Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.” ~Benjamin Elijah Mays

Name: Brandon Maurice Frame

Age: 23

Occupation: Educator, Renaissance Man and Agent of Change

Where are you from? I’m from the small but great state of Connecticut.

Did you go to college? Where? I attended the illustrious Morehouse College.

What did you study? I studied Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.

Where do you work?
I currently teach at The Fessenden School and serve as founder and Chief Visionary Officer at www.theblackmancan.org

Why did you pick this career?
I believe it picked me. I decided to build my career in the fields of education and youth development. I realized late in my collegiate matriculation that these areas of interest were where my passion was grounded. During my junior year at Morehouse, I started a mentoring program with Kevin Parker and Marquis Horn titled Role Models, Scholars and Gentlemen (R.S.G.) at Charles R. Drew Charter School. R.S.G. stood for what we wanted to shape the young men into. I observed over time the profound effect the curriculum I designed which included trips, speakers and workshops were having on the young men. I have worked for several companies including Kraft, Aetna and Liberty Mutual and while I excelled and enjoyed these opportunities nothing I did brought the joy to my heart that was there when I worked with the young boys at Charles R. Drew Charter School. I vividly remember standing on the 50th floor of the World Financial Center interviewing with American Express, and as I looked out the window all I could think of was: how can I show my young MENtees this view so they can see that anything is possible, and dream like they have never seen obstacles.

My initial idea to create TheBlackManCan occurred while I was in college, but after careful planning and brainstorming, I decided to make my dream a reality in April of 2010. I realized it was up to me to take responsibility for the image I desired to see and wanted young boys to experience. With those intentions in mind, TheBlackManCan was birthed with the mission of actively promoting a positive black male image. TheBlackManCan will be the positive contradiction to the prevailing black male image of today.

What are your future plans for your career?

The plans I have within this career is to grow my personal endeavors into a true vehicle for change among all people. To be a beacon of hope and inspiration and dispel all stereotypes, stinking thinking and ignorance. Additionally, I have plans of opening my own school for young boys in Hartford, Connecticut where the mission will be to mold young men with a positive self identity and global perspective. This may open the door for me to eventually do consulting work and ultimately run for office.

How did you get involved in this career?

I had always been a young person who was service minded. However, it was during my junior year when I took “Leadership and Professional Development” with Dr. Belinda White at Morehouse. One of the components of this class was to do a service learning project. I convinced my group to mentor at Charles R. Drew Charter School where I had already established R.S.G. Their agreement to contribute in my effort to mentor young boys made me realize that I had to pursue my passion with purpose and impeccable effort.

How did you prepare yourself for this career?
I don’t know if you can fully prepare yourself for your calling. In regards to teaching, I took several classes on lesson planning and classroom management. Outside of that, I’m learning new things every day about myself and my students. I believe one key to it all is to have a firm grasp of differentiated learning. All students do not learn the same way so it is important to teach one lesson in a variety of ways.

And if you just happened to land in this career what made you stay?
The students make you stay. I’m not sure there is anything more rewarding than seeing a student grasp both abstract and concrete ideas and then articulate his/her thoughts in a clear and concise manner. To know that it was your teaching that allowed said student to grow is a feeling I can’t describe.

Also observing the profound impact mentors had on young boys was enough motivation for me to stay in this field. The young MENtees are just looking for someone to relate to and someone who will believe in them and share words that will uplift, inspire and empower them to be different, be great and never stop.

What are the downsides to this profession?
I do not believe there to be any. Some say the best reason to be a teacher is June, July and August. I enjoy each and every day, especially snow days. If there were a downside I would say….grading papers!!

What is a typical workday for you?
I have a different work day than most educators because I teach at a boarding school. If it were a college, I’d be referred to as the Resident Director, but here at The Fessenden School, I’m affectionately known as a dorm parent. I wake my students up at 6:30 every morning so they can make it to breakfast by 7:20 AM. School starts promptly at 8:00 AM and ends at 2:50 PM. Afterwards students are required to participate in a sport during the fall, winter and spring seasons. I coach soccer in the fall and basketball in the winter. Practice for sports ends at 4:20 PM, then dinner begins at 6:00 PM and lasts for an hour. I’m on dorm parent duty from 8-9:30 P.M. until it’s lights out. For the latter part of the evening, I grade papers, respond to emails and catch up on work for TheBlackManCan. Each day is extremely busy, but I look forward to it.

How might this job be a stepping stone to other professions?
This position could be a stepping stone into professions such as education policy, nonprofit work and running for office. There are many more to name. The skills that I have honed are transferable to many other career paths.

I feel that the BlackManCan can lead to opportunities in various fields of journalism such as print material, radio and television. Since the launch in April I have only seen steady progress. The content on TheBlackManCan is on par with many news outlets across the country some of which are taking notice. I’m excited about what the rest of 2011 will bring.

What is the single-most important piece of advice you can offer a person pursuing this career?
Motivation is a skill required to be a good teacher. If you can’t motivate you need to evacuate! Persistence overcomes resistance!

What steps do you recommend to someone who is planning to pursue this career?

1. Carefully plan out your vision.
2. Research different teaching methods.
3. Read…Read…Read!! Not all readers are leaders but all leaders are readers.
4. Find your passion. It will lead you to your purpose and then pursue it with impeccable effort!

What’s a funny memory from your college or high school days you are legally allowed to share?
Wow, well which one should I tell? I went on so many road trips and enjoyed good times with so many people. I don’t have too many privacy settings on my Facebook, so one can see all my photos without being my friend. My students have taken advantage of this so I guess I will say Spring Break 2009 from start to finish.

Where can we stalk you online?

LinkedIn: Brandon Frame
Twitter: @brandonframe
Website: www.theblackmancan.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rolemodelnscholar