Testimonials

Principals, PTA presidents, parents, and educators rave about Dr. Blake’s Growth Mindset programs. See what they have to say about Dr. Blake’s presentations!

What People are Saying about Blake

“Our students were actively engaged in Dr. Brandes’s presentation and the follow up classroom discussion was dynamic. Thank you, Dr. Brandes!”

Dr. Mary Hemphill, Principal E.D. Koontz Elementary, North Carolina (USA)

“Blake spoke to our entire student body of 1000 plus students. He engaged the audience in a way that was interactive, encouraging, and entertaining. His message on ‘remixing your reality’ resonated with our students and facilitated some productive goal-oriented conversations in the classroom following the event.”

Angela Pisel, President HHS Academic Honors Club, North Carolina (USA)

“With his rap and beatboxing, Blake pulls the kids in in a way that they can immediately say, ‘This man understands me. He’s talking my language.” He was able to get them to see there is life and there are solutions and opportunities beyond the problems they have lived through.”

Cathy Roland, Instructional Facilitator Archer Learning Center ALE, Arkansas (USA)

“Our two 4-H groups enjoyed and were really involved in the hands-on aspect of Blake’s youth leadership workshops. They were able to leave Blake’s Leadership Summit with a personal connection, ideas to make a positive impact for future scholarships or careers, and service projects that they can do to make a difference in their communities.”

Anna Goff, Advisor Arkansas 4-H, Fayetteville (USA)

“For my class on the relationships between hip hop, poetry, and the social dimensions of rap culture, Dr. Brandes came and treated students to an illuminating, fascinating, and educational presentation, which included a beatboxing and freestyling workshop.”

Daniel Lukes, Instructor of Graduate Studies New York University, New York (USA)

“Blake did such a wonderful job teaching my students how to beatbox and really motivated them to follow their dreams. One of my shy students became very interested in beatboxing after Blake’s visit, and he asked our principal about performing at one of our school assemblies…I know Blake made such a difference in his life, and I appreciate Blake so much for taking time to teach my class.”

Lisa Taylor, Teacher Shaw Elementary School, Arkansas (USA)

“Blake spoke with our students at Granite Falls Elementary, and the kids loved him! He had them so excited about being superheroes who help others, and his rapping was funny and age-appropriate. He was so easy to work with. We hope to be able to collaborate with Blake again soon!”

Virgina Travis, Teacher Granite Falls Elementary, North Carolina (USA)

“After hearing [Blake’s] story and seeing how it’s similar to mine and how [he] succeeded at reaching [his] goals, it makes me feel 100 times better about succeeding in my goals too!”

Austin Bruhn, Student Hickory High School, North Carolina (USA)

There were smiles from ear to ear and giggles throughout the auditorium. It was incredible to see the response our students had and the way Dr. Blake’s message resonated with them. I absolutely cannot recommend Dr. Blake more, he is a phenomenon!

I had no idea what to expect from Dr. Blake's Parent Night Presentation, but I was so pleasantly surprised to see such a lively, engaging presentation about Growth Mindset. Dr. Blake’s story is powerful and inspirational and I got a lot out of his parent education session. It helped to motivate me not just with interacting with my grandchild, but also generally as someone who is working toward my goals. The freestyle rapping was icing on the cake - it was entertaining and fun! Dr. Blake has found a great formula for connecting with audiences of all ages, I loved it!

Dr Blake is impacting lives, not just students, but educators as well. He truly is making a difference in a positive way! Dr. Blake’s combination of Hip Hop and Growth Mindset engaged and motivated both our educators and students. To see my teachers immediately embrace it following his presentation feels amazing!

Dr. Blake’s presentation was just what our students and teachers needed! He was funny, quick, and he gave us the motivation we needed to keep going. It will be amazing to see what our students will do with Dr. Blake’s Growth Mindset approach to each day. Dr. Blake gets high recommendation marks from our middle school students and teachers.

We’ve had Dr. Blake here multiple times. His message was motivational going into state testing and so powerful day-to-day as well. You will absolutely love Dr. Blake, he is awesome!

All the staff and teacher feedback has been nothing but positive. We’ve had a great experience. The kids and parents loved it and it was a powerful assembly. We want to have Dr. Blake back next year and would highly recommend his amazing talents and Growth Mindset message.