Les Brown
Born 1945 · Age 80
American motivational speaker, author, former radio host and multi-term Ohio state representative (29th district). Founder of Les Brown Enterprises/Les Brown Unlimited; author of Live Your Dreams and other bestsellers; notable speaker and media personality.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Liberty City, Miami, Florida
Leslie Calvin Brown born on the floor of an abandoned building in Liberty City, Miami; twin brother Wesley born same day.
Adopted by Mamie Brown
At about six weeks old Les and his twin were adopted by Mamie Brown, a 38-year-old single cafeteria worker and domestic assistant.
Held back and labeled 'educable mentally retarded'
In fifth grade Brown was forced back a grade, placed in special education and labeled 'educable mentally retarded', an experience that shaped his later motivational message.
Graduated high school; inspired by speech instructor
Attended Booker T. Washington High School; speech & drama teacher LeRoy Washington encouraged him to pursue radio/broadcasting and public speaking.
Sanitation worker in Miami Beach
After high school Brown worked for the Department of Sanitation in Miami Beach before pursuing radio work.
Started at WMBM radio as gofer; became disc jockey
Hired as an errand boy/gofer at a Miami Beach radio station (WMBM); filled in for an inebriated DJ and was subsequently hired on-air as a disc jockey.
Moved to Columbus, Ohio to work at WVKO Radio
Relocated to Columbus in the late 1960s to work at WVKO Radio, where he hosted a top-rated program and became increasingly active in community organizing.
Promoted to broadcast manager / program director at WVKO
Advanced to program director/broadcast manager responsibilities at WVKO (dates approximated to late 1960s–early 1970s).
Terminated from WVKO Radio (approx.)
Became controversial for political activism on-air at WVKO and was fired by station owners (exact date not specified; placed in mid-1970s in sources).
Elected to Ohio House of Representatives (29th District)
Ran for the Ohio General Assembly and won the seat representing the 29th district (election in 1976; took office Jan 3, 1977).
Passed record legislation as a freshman
In his first year Brown reportedly passed more legislation than any other freshman representative in Ohio legislative history.
Took office as Ohio State Representative
Sworn in as member of the Ohio House of Representatives (term began Jan 3, 1977).
Served as chair of Human Resources Committee (third term)
During his third term in the Ohio House Brown served as chair of the Human Resources Committee (approximate timing within his legislative tenure).
Left Ohio State House to care for ailing mother
Stepped down/left his seat (sources vary on exact end date of service) to return to Florida to care for his mother; subsequently developed youth training programs in Miami.
Founded youth career training program / Les Brown Youth Enrichment Seminar
Back in Miami he developed and launched a youth career training program (Les Brown Youth Enrichment Seminar) and held community meetings; program later drew official inquiry that was dropped.
Dade County investigation cleared
Dade County state's attorney general investigated his handling of the youth program; after about a year the case was dropped with no improprieties found.
Entered motivational speaking full-time; formed Les Brown Enterprises, Inc.
Began a full-time career as a motivational speaker and formed Les Brown Enterprises (sometimes referenced as Les Brown Unlimited, Inc.); moved to Detroit and opened an office.
Early hardship while starting speaking career
Reportedly broke and sleeping on the cold linoleum floor of his office in Detroit while building his speaking business, with only one tape of his speeches.
Audio series 'Choosing Your Future' becomes a bestseller (period)
The audio series 'Choosing Your Future' became one of his perennial bestsellers and a staple product sold on tours and via tape/DVD sales (date approximate, late 1980s/early 1990s).
Received National Speakers Association CPAE Award
Awarded the National Speakers Association's Council of Peers Award of Excellence (CPAE), the organization's highest honor; cited as the first African American recipient in sources.
Recorded motivational PBS speech series including 'You Deserve'
Recorded a series of motivational speech presentations for PBS; 'You Deserve' became widely used as a fundraising pledge program for public television stations.
Les Brown Unlimited, Inc. earned ~$4M/yr (early 1990s)
Encyclopedic and biographical sources refer to Les Brown's company (Les Brown Unlimited, Inc.) earning several million dollars annually in the early 1990s (approx. $4M/yr).
Awarded Toastmasters International Golden Gavel (approx.)
Toastmasters recognized Brown among the world's best speakers and sources indicate he received the Golden Gavel award around 1991–1992 (dates vary by source).
Won regional Emmy (Chicago) for 'You Deserve' series
Received a Chicago-area/regional Emmy Award for the 'You Deserve' telecast series (sources refer to an Emmy in 1991).
Published 'Live Your Dreams' (bestseller)
Released Live Your Dreams (Morrow, 1992), an autobiography/self-help book that became a bestseller and included exercises/workbook material.
Engaged to Gladys Knight (publicized)
Sources state Brown became engaged to singer Gladys Knight in 1993 prior to marriage in 1995.
Launched 'The Les Brown Show' (syndicated TV)
Debuted a nationally syndicated talk show, The Les Brown Show, in September 1993 (syndicated by King World); program ran briefly (cancelled Nov 1993/early 1994).
Married Gladys Knight (Las Vegas)
Married soul singer Gladys Knight in a private ceremony (sources cite Aug 29, 1995; other reports list 1995 generally).
Published 'It's Not Over Until You Win!'
Released It's Not Over Until You Win!: How to Become the Person You Always Wanted to Be (1996), translating his speaking charisma to print.
Hired as morning host at WBLS New York
After a brief stint at WRKS, Brown joined WBLS in New York as morning host in October 1996 (left radio to focus on speaking in 1997).
Divorced Gladys Knight
Brown and Gladys Knight divorced in 1997 citing irreconcilable differences (they remained publicly amicable per some reports).
Left WBLS to focus on speaking; announced prostate cancer treatment
Announced departure from morning radio to concentrate on his speaking career and undergo treatment for prostate cancer.
Business revenue milestone (~$4.5M/yr)
Sources report Brown's speaking and media business generated roughly $4–4.5 million per year by the late 1990s.
Expanded role to Master Trainer; developed workshops
Over time Brown expanded from keynote speaking to Master Trainer and workshop leader, training future public speakers and organizations (period milestone across 2000s).
Global reach: speaking to audiences worldwide
By the 2010s Les Brown was frequently cited as speaking to audiences in over 80 countries and filling stadiums as large as 80,000 people (marketing/biography claims).
Hosted daily syndicated radio program on KFWB (CA)
Hosted a daily syndicated radio program on Los Angeles station KFWB from 2011 to 2012.
Concluded KFWB daily show
Left/exited the daily syndicated program on KFWB in 2012 (station/syndication changes).
Large social media and digital presence
Les Brown's speeches and videos reached hundreds of thousands on YouTube with tens of thousands active on social media platforms (approximate, ongoing).
Continued keynote and training work; corporate clients
Continued to serve Fortune 500 clients (AT&T, GE, Procter & Gamble, Chrysler, 3M, Xerox among clients cited) delivering keynotes and training programs.
Recognitions & lifetime honors (ongoing)
Frequently cited as an icon in the professional speaking industry (CPAE, Golden Gavel, Toastmasters top speaker listings; some sources list NSA Hall of Fame membership via speaker bureaus).
Key Achievement Ages
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