Looking for an Engaging and Interactive Speaker?

Educational Speakers & Workshops for College Campuses

Brian is nationally recognized for his energetic, interactive workshops and seminars. After years of honing his speaking gift, Brian joined the roster of lecturers for CAMPUSPEAK in the summer of 2008. He was nominated BEST DIVERSITY ARTIST by the readers of Campus Activities Magazine in 2010.

Since joining the roster in 2008, educator, author and minister BRIAN C. JOHNSON has become one of the most respected names on the CAMPUSPEAK roster, delivering his diversity keynote Reel Diversity to college students across the nation. Reel Diversity provides a safe dialogue in which students consider multiculturalism messages in popular movies.

Brian is now adapting this tried-and-true method of using film to generate honest dialogue about various aspects of college life.

Reel Big Bullies

Bullying was once considered a normal, inevitable part of growing up. Boys hitting each other on the playground were shrugged off with the thought that “boys will be boys.” Girls excluding one another were considered to be engaging in a rite of passage to womanhood. National incidents like school shootings at Columbine High or at Virginia Tech and the rash suicides of gay teens and college students have cast new light on the age-old problem of bullying. The perpetrators were themselves victims of bullying or had felt the stinging effects of social isolation and discrimination.

Bullying at school means that learning occurs in a culture of fear and intimidation. Defining bullying is a first step towards understanding it. These attacks can include taunting, teasing, hitting, threatening or indirect bullying through purposeful exclusion caused by gossip and rumors.

Using clips from Hollywood blockbusters like Knocked Up, The Emperor’s New Groove, Benchwarmers and others, Reel Big Bullies is designed to help students, administrators, teachers and counselors create a safer school environment for all students. It is also intended to help all students understand the terrible toll bulling can take on its victims, and to encourage students to stand up for their classmates who are being harassed.

Perfect for college campuses or junior and high school assemblies, Reel Big Bullies is designed to strengthen communities, foster mutual respect and build truly inclusive environments where all can thrive!

In addition to Big Bullies, the following programs are also available:

REEL GREEK: Where Hollywood Boulevard Meets Greek Row

uses film clips from popular films like Old School, Animal House and Stomp the Yard (and many others) to explore the Greek community’s image, reputation, and ability to recruit. Reel Greek is perfect for Greek Week, new member events, officer training, or as a stand-alone all Greek program.

REEL DIVERSITY

frames the diversity conversation through modern film. By sharing clips of well-known films and discussing the messages they consciously or unconsciously give, Brian allows every student to see himself or herself as diverse. Students laugh and remember some of their favorite movies, and from there, an interactive keynote about multiculturalism can begin. Students learn about the concept of “diversity”—its associated values, expressions of identity, similarity, and the devaluation of “different.” They are asked to consider the concept of “culture”—its symbols, language, norms and values in American society.

We've Scene It All Before: College Life in the Movies

Using clips from popular films set on college campuses, Brian will deconstruct the Hollywood myth machine and empower students to make positive choices regarding the challenges they will face on a daily basis. This keynote will get students laughing as they remember their favorite scenes and are challenged to be critical thinkers about how to make positive, informed decisions about success in college as well as how to be a productive citizen within the campus community.

TESTIMONIALS:

Brian did a wonderful job connecting with the students. His program really gave each and every one of the students a chance to engage in the presentation! The "Reel Diversity" presentation really made a positive impact on how we wish students to engage and view diversity on campus. I think the most effective was the fact that for students who identify as white...this may have been the first time they were encouraged/included in an explicit way into diversity conversations.  (Dickinson College)

Brian's use of humor and analogies engages the students before he even starts the "meat" of his presentation. Brian was extremely easy to work with. His sense of humor is an effective way to reach the students. Even when talking about serious issues, Brian had a nice balance between humor and communicating life lessons. (Whittier College)

Current, hip, engaging, funny! (Whitworth University)

I think Brian made a lasting impression (regarding diversity) with
some of the students in attendance. Most effective was his energy, humor, and engaging style. (Penn State Erie)

Brian's personality and style connected very well with our audience. It was a group of varying levels of comfort and knowledge on the topic (Diversity/Social Justice) and Brian put the staff, at all levels, at ease. Brian helped us create a foundation of understanding around the topics of diversity and social justice. The most effective aspect of his work was the name tag exercise, the least effective was having him leave. (Penn College of Technology)

He engaged them immediately, and they loved him. This is the first outside speaker we've really brought into campus, and we're already thinking of ways we can bring him back. He was down to earth, very informed on his topic, and reached the students. (Harrisburg Area Community College, York Campus)

The speaker was very effective because he used relatable material and was very enthused. The lasting impact will be hopefully a continuous use of his lecture through freshman orientation.(Randolph College)

Brian did an excellent job connecting with the audience. He was friendly, engaging, and in total control of the performance. The audience response was very positive--great post performance comments demonstrate that. (Penn State)