⏰ In 2006, I stood up in a small classroom to deliver my 1st presentation in Toastmasters, I WAS AFRAID. My sweaty palms trembled as I clenched my notes like a security blanket. I didn’t want to speak, but I knew I had to because instinctively I recognized that everything I wanted in life was waiting for me… just outside of my confront zone. It was there that I discovered not only my passion for speaking but also my desire to create platforms to assist current and aspiring professional speakers in reaching the audience they were called to serve.

👋 Hi, my name is Brian J. Olds, President and Founder of Black Speakers Network. I am on a mission to equip, connect and inspire the next generation of Black Professional Speakers. It doesn’t matter where you start, it only matters where you are going.

📖 TRUE STORY:

I was the tall, skinny kid from Baltimore city who lived most of his life attempting to blend into the background and dared not to stick out. Born an introvert, I never thought I would one day stand in front of hundreds of people and confidently deliver speeches. Additionally, I never imagined that I would go on to be the founder of one of the fastest-growing and well-respected professional speaking development organizations for Black Speakers in the world.

💬 Here’s a direct quote from one of my favorite shows, “You’ll laugh at your fears when you find out who you are.” I can laugh now because I trusted my instinct and stepped out of my comfort zone to become the leader I am today. I SPEAK, TRAIN and EMPOWER audiences around the world to speak up by tapping into their unique gifts.

If you are a speaker, a meeting planner who needs speakers for your events, an entrepreneur who wants to start speaking to grow your business, then I believe we have an incredible opportunity to work together. Step outside of your comfort zone and drop me a message.

See You On Stage!