Harvard debate coach delivers message of transformation and inspiration for today’s teens
From being an at-risk youth and college dropout to an award-winning author, Brandon F. Fleming story is one of overcoming the odds.
From his book MISEDUCATED: A Memoir, Fleming will share his story of struggle, success, and service with guests at the 45th Delta Memorial Endowment Fund’s (DMEF) Literary Luncheon on Saturday, April 22, starting at 11:30 a.m. on at the Hyatt Regency, 333 W. Kilbourn Ave.
The renowned speaker, nationally acclaimed educator is a former debate coach at Harvard University and Founder & CEO of The Veritas School of Social Sciences, formerly known as the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project.
Fleming recruited under-served youth with no prior debate experience who he trained to compete against hundreds of elite debaters from over 25 different countries around the world.
For five consecutive years, since the program’s inception in 2017, every cohort he trained has won the international competition.
His groundbreaking organization positioned students for acceptance into Ivy League schools and other elite colleges and universities.
Fleming’s story has been featured on major news media and shows such as CNN, ESPN, Good Morning America to name a few.
He’s been named to Forbes 30 under 30 list, and in 2020 and was named by The Root magazine as one of the top 100 most influential African Americans in the United States.
The Literary Luncheon is the signature event of DMEF, Inc. Each year, DMEF Inc. hosts notable authors and the event proceeds provide funding for college scholarships to graduating high school seniors, as well as to charitable organizations.
Past guest authors have included luminaries like Maya Angelou, Dr. Ian K. Smith, Alice E. Walker, Natalie Baszile, Jesse J. Holland, Dr. James Comer, Alvin C. Hollingsworth, Octavia Butler, Pearl Cleage, Phyllis Dixon, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Attica Locke, Jeff Johnson, Barbara Reynolds, E. Lynn Harris and Wisconsin Poet Laureate Dasha Kelly-Hamilton.
DMEF Literary Luncheon event information, including ticket costs, can be found at Facebook.com/dmefinc.