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

“Blake Brandes uses his talents as a hip hop artist to capture

the imagination of students and encourages students to pursue their dreams and aspirations. He is very skilled at reaching into the hearts and minds of students as he engages them in thinking about the endless possibilities for future success.”

Dr. Marsha Jones, Associate Superintendent Springdale Public Schools, Arkansas (USA)

“Blake’s work with the students was incredible. While teaching them a large amount of skills in a short amount of time, he also managed to share life lessons in subtle and powerful ways… I sincerely hope we are able to bring Blake back for several more workshops next year, as the students haven’t been this enthusiastic about any activity the entire school year.”

Sarah Kingston, Teacher Minster College, Isle of Sheppey (UK)

“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)

Check Out a Few of Our Favorite Growth Mindset Testimonial Clips!

In the video you will find

Krista Keneman – Vice Principal, Peterson Middle School, CA – at 0 seconds

– Topic: Student, staff, and parent presentations and overall experience

Katie Holding – Principal, Live Oak Elementary, TX – at 53 seconds

– Topic: What her teachers thought about the assemblies

James Sterenczak – Principal, Yardville Heights Elementary, NJ – at 1min38s

– Topic: Investing in your students through Dr. Blake Brandes

Kelly Eadelman – School Counselor, Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary, AZ – at 2min25s

– Topics: Effect of the assemblies on students and staff, overall experience, booking/planning process

Wes Paul – Principal, Oliver Ames High School, MA – at 3min30s

– Topic: Growth mindset message combined with professional beatboxing and rapping

Laura Myers – Principal, Tam Valley Elementary, CA – at 4min16s

– Topic: Blake’s ability to engage and focus students, summary of student experience

Sean McLaughlin – Principal, Kettle Lake Elementary, MI – at 4min39s

– Topics: Engagement and excitement of students, effect of assemblies on the students in short and long-term, age-appropriate assemblies, growth mindset through Blake’s life lessons