We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brandon Jenkins. Check out our conversation below.
Brandon, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of the work I’ve built that isn’t always visible—my podcast, Teaching in Color, the content I create as a teacher and advocate, and the work I’m doing in my doctoral program. Through Teaching in Color, I interview educators from all over the world, sharing their unique stories and elevating voices that often go unheard, particularly teachers of color and those from marginalized communities. Behind the scenes, there’s planning, recording, researching, and content creation, but the most meaningful part is creating platforms and spaces that connect, uplift, and empower educators while allowing me to grow as a teacher, scholar, and advocate.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Brandon Jenkins, a teacher, content creator, and advocate for educators, especially those from marginalized communities. I’m pursuing a doctoral degree, and for over a year, I’ve been building my platform, Teaching in Color, connecting with educators from around the world and sharing their unique stories. As a content creator, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with prominent companies such as LEGO, Walmart, Dove, and more, all while showing what the everyday teacher looks like. My work is about elevating voices, building community, and creating spaces where educators feel seen, heard, and celebrated.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was when I had the opportunity to speak at the Texas Capitol about teacher retention and recruitment. It was eye-opening to see firsthand how policy and legislation can directly impact classrooms, students, and communities, and it gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of advocacy as an educator. Later, being invited to the White House and participating in Hill Day, speaking with legislators about my journey as a teacher, further reinforced how educators’ voices can influence change on a national scale. These experiences shaped my commitment to not only teaching but also advocating for policies that uplift educators and students alike.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most is the fear of being seen—or rather, being truly visible and vulnerable in my work. Early on, I worried about stepping into spaces as a Black male educator and content creator, about whether my voice and perspective would be accepted or valued. That fear sometimes kept me from fully sharing my ideas or taking risks in my projects. Over time, though, by creating platforms like Teaching in Color and advocating for teachers of color, I’ve learned that showing up authentically not only empowers me but also opens doors for others to be heard and supported.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is a version of my true self, but it’s curated. I show the parts of me that I want to amplify—my work as a teacher, content creator, and advocate—but there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes: the planning, the research, the doubts, and the learning. The public version is me striving to be my best self and to use my platform to uplift others, but the full version—the one that includes the struggles and growth—is something only a few people truly see.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If immortality were real, what would you build?
If immortality were real, I would build a lasting platform for educators—especially teachers of color and those from marginalized communities—to be seen, heard, and celebrated. I’d create a space that preserves their stories, insights, and innovations for generations, a living archive of teaching experiences and wisdom that anyone could access. Beyond that, I’d invest in mentorship networks, resources, and community programs that continually empower educators and students, ensuring that the work of lifting voices and creating equity in education could continue infinitely.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://allaboutbrandon.squarespace.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allabout.brandon?igsh=NnNwNDMzaWl6OHJ0&utm_source=qr
