BIOGRAPHY OF LES BROWN

As a renowned professional speaker, best-selling author, and television personality, Les Brown has risen to national prominence by delivering a high energy message which tells people how to shake off mediocrity and live up to their greatness. It is a message Brown has learned from his own life and one he is helping others apply to their lives.

Born a twin in low-income Liberty City in Miami, Brown and his twin brother, Wes, were adopted when they were six weeks old by Mrs. Mamie Brown. Mrs. Brown was a single woman who had very little education or financial means, but a very big heart. As a child Brown's inattention to schoolwork, his restless energy, and the failure of his teachers to recognize his true potential, resulted in his being mislabeled as a slow learner. The label and the stigma stayed with him, damaging his self-esteem to such an extent that it took several years to overcome.

Brown has had no formal education beyond high school, but with persistence and determination, he has initiated and continued a process of unending self-education, which has distinguished him as an authority on harnessing human potential. Brown's passion for learning and his hunger to realize greatness in himself and others helped him to achieve greatness. He rose from a hip-talkin' morning DJ to broadcast manager; from community activist to community leader; from political commentator to three-term legislator; and from a banquet and nightclub emcee to premier keynote speaker.

In 1986, Brown entered the public speaking arena on a full-time basis and formed his own company, Les Brown Enterprises, Inc. The company provides motivational tapes and materials, workshops, and personal/professional development programs aimed at individuals, companies, and organizations.

In 1989, Brown was the recipient of the National Speakers Association's highest honor: The Council of Peers Award of Excellence (CPAE). In addition, he was selected as one of the World's Top Five Speakers for 1992 by Toastmasters International and as the recipient of the Golden Gavel Award.

In 1990, Brown recorded his first in a series of speech presentations entitled "You Deserve," which was awarded a Chicago-area Emmy, and became the leading fundraising program of its kind for pledges to PBS stations nationwide.
Brown is the author of the highly acclaimed and successful books Live Your Dreams and It's Not Over Until You Win. He is the former host of The Les Brown Show, a nationally syndicated daily television talk show, which focuses on solutions rather than problems.

Brown is one of the nation's leading authorities on understanding and stimulating human potential. Utilizing powerful delivery and newly emerging insights, Brown's customized presentation will teach, inspire, and channel your audience to new levels of achievement.