Brandon Leake, spoken word poet and winner of America’s Got Talent, has found ways to connect with audiences through his creative work. He tells stories and performs live to help people explore meaningful life skills, encouraging self-reflection, personal growth, and stronger connections with others. In workshops and public events, Leake introduces poetry as a versatile and expressive tool that can bring personal stories to life.
Turning Poetry Into a Life Lesson
Leake grounds his message in personal experience. Raised in Stockton, California, he faced challenges that shaped his early years. Rather than letting them define him, he turned adversity into fuel for his art. That journey led him to Called To Move (CTM), an organization that aims to use poetry to deepen self-understanding and support personal potential.
In every workshop, Leake does more than teach poetry. He encourages participants to reflect, set goals, and recognize the strength in their experiences. One of CTM’s key programs, Journey – Self Actualization, invites individuals to explore how their past might guide their growth. Leake’s approach to storytelling as a learning tool helps participants speak honestly and move forward with greater clarity.
He creates an environment that often fosters openness and respect. Participants write, share, and listen in settings designed to build trust and mutual understanding. These experiences can strengthen empathy and communication skills in classrooms, workplaces, and communities.
Expanding Creative Writing Access
Building on his commitment to youth and education, Brandon Leake, alongside his poetic residency program, has recently partnered with Vertex Education to co-create a digital junior high creative writing curriculum that aims to bring his storytelling techniques into classrooms across the country. Brandon Leake Inc. and Vertex Education plan to offer the course nationwide and share it through both Brandon’s platform and Vertex Education’s school network, providing schools with a fresh, inspiring approach to creative writing…