Dear Reader,

In was New Orleans, Louisiana in 1959, when Brennan François was born. He lived in a shotgun house in an area of town “where you knew everybody and everyone looked out for you,” he said. His father was a construction foreman, and his mother was a licensed practical nurse who did private duty nursing. He described it as an all-black neighborhood, all-black school, and his family attended an all-black church. He considered his childhood “ordinary”. He grew up with his mom and dad, maternal grandmother and an uncle. “We were relatively poor,” he said, but added, “our house was full of food, games, and our friends were always welcomed there.” Brennan said, “I have many good memories of growing up.” Readers, if you had to describe your childhood in one sentence, what would you say?

However, when he was nine-years-old, a frightening incident occurred that left an impression on Brennan and his family. Remember, I mentioned his ‘shotgun’ home. These were houses popular in the south after the civil war. They were called that because they were small and narrow and you could see all the way from one end to the other. The saying is that if you fired a shotgun from the front door it would go out the back door without hitting a wall.

This one particular day, Brennan and his brothers were on the back porch. They could see through the window that their mom was in the kitchen. Their dad was sitting in his chair in the living room. All of a sudden “I recall my mom screaming,” Brennan said. She was frightened, because from her view, she could see that the police had busted into their house and had a gun aimed at their father’s head. “We were all paralyzed. We didn’t know what was going on.” They were afraid that their “Daddy was going to get shot”, he said. The local grocery store owner was also with the police that day. He kept saying, “That’s not the truck.”

Everyone’s fear was heightened because a few days before, a similar incident happened in Brennan’s neighborhood. In that case, a plumber who was a black man, was working under a house to fix the pipes. That same day, the police were chasing a man, and they thought the assailant had gone under that home. Without identifying the man to find out if he was the correct person, the police shot and killed the plumber. “It was the wrong man, but it was too late. That thought was in all our minds,” Brennan said. Readers, have you ever experienced a tragic incident where you were innocent but others did not believe you?

So, when the François family saw the police with the shotgun aimed at their father, they had real reasons to be afraid. The grocery store owner again said to the police, “I told you it was a white truck. That is not the truck”. What had led up to this incident in Brennan’s family home, was that someone had robbed the local grocery store, and the owner saw the thief drive away in a white truck. When the police saw Mr. François’s beige truck, they assumed he was the robber, crashed into the family’s home, and had the gun aimed to shoot at Brennan’s father’s head. Eventually, the grocery store owner convinced the police that Mr. Francois was not the person they were looking for. “They left our property without an apology,” Brennan said.  “My parents lived with a level of concern for us and our lives because of that.” Readers, what, if any, is a weight you carried from your childhood?

By his teen years, Brennen attended a college prep public high school. He said it was “the cream of the crop academic school for blacks”. The high school, at that time, did not have a strong sports program, and “I liked to play sports,” Brennan said. He joined the football team and ran track. He became a leader in developing a competitive edge among the football players.  He said that before that year, “everybody wanted to play us because we were a doormat,” meaning they would be an easy win for the rivaling teams. His team was expected to lose. However, with Brennan’s drive, “that year we did not lose,” he said. “I loved upsetting their expectations.” Those years of being a part of a developing sports team sowed the seeds for him to champion the underdog all throughout his life. It helped him develop a mindset that “the underdogs can become the top dogs,” he said. Reader, have you ever been the ‘underdog’?

Throughout his school years, Brennan was also greatly influenced by music and the discipline of this medium.  He learned to read and interpret music. He was introduced to symphony performances during school trips, and he sang in his high school and church choir.  “I loved hearing all the sounds and instruments come together,” he said. The church choir was directed by Brennan’s uncle, Pernell Lewis. Brennan described his uncle’s style as one of running the choir like an organization. They had meetings, officers and conducted business with the handbook for meeting management, Robert’s Rules of Order. “It prepared me for leadership,” he said. It also gave him a lifelong appreciation of music. What is a skill that you carry with you, Reader, that you learned in your early educational years?

During his first year of college, in 1976, Brennan decided he wanted to be a pharmacist. Then, he changed his degree to teaching. He studied at Xavier University in New Orleans whose students were mostly African American.

In January of 1979, Brennan experienced a memorable interracial moment, when he transferred to Southwestern Adventist College in Texas. A significant evening stamped in his memory is when he had been playing basketball with a new friend. They left the gym and were walking home together. His buddy told Brennan he had to stop in at the science room to check his test scores. Brennan went with him and waited outside. When his fellow student did not come out right away, Brennan thought that he should check on his new friend. He went in the building, but it was completely dark. He reached to turn on the light, and there stood 60 white people yelling “Happy Birthday” to Brennan.

Brennan said that it fed a mindset that he holds to this day, that “people are people”. He said that relationships don’t have to be based on the complexion of our skin. The understanding of that belief generated one of the early seeds for Brennan’s later vision. It started with the idea that he wanted to be able to minister to all people, not just folks who resembled him, he said. Brennan quoted the anonymous saying “that it is often said – that the most segregated time is when people are in worship”. “That was not going to be a barrier for me,” he said. He recognized that God was preparing him for some type of ministry, but it would be years for Brennan to flesh out that future dream. Readers, have you allowed yourself opportunities to get to know people from other races, ethnicities and nationalities? How has that influenced you?

During those years, Brennan discovered he had a talent, when after giving a speech, his teacher and classmates gave him a standing ovation.  His teacher talked to him about his orator gifts. Brennan didn’t know what else he could do with those skills except to become a minister. “I didn’t know there were other options,” he said.

In 1982, he married. Also, that year, his church leadership placed him in a pastoral assignment for two years. He served in a predominately white, 2500-member church in Texas, Brennan became the college chaplain and the assistant pastor. His primary role was to create ministry opportunities for the university students.

Then in 1985, Brennan attended Andrews University in Michigan where he began his Master of Divinity program. Then, the church leadership assigned him to pastor a church in Houston. While there, he was asked to be the keynote speaker for a high school graduation in Keene, Texas. Brennan said that by the end of the ceremony, he received requests to speak at six more places. With each speaking engagement, the invitations continued to grow.  He realized that he could use his orator’s abilities in a new way.

 The encouragement he received prompted him to organize his company called Dynamic Living. As a public speaker and coach, his mission was one of empowerment. He wanted young people to realize their potential and “become the best version of themselves,” he said.

However, he still needed to work full-time. Brennan received an invitation to become the chaplain at Spring Valley Academy Christian School in Ohio. The school served students from kindergarten to twelfth grade, and Brennan’s responsibilities were to the high schoolers. Brennan served there for eight years.

Then in 1994, Brennan and his family next moved to Augusta, Georgia. He and his wife separated, and each lived in their own homes, but both were committed to co-parenting their children. With Brennan’s work ethic, he immediately took a position at a local bank during the day and worked at Macy’s in the evening. Readers, how would you describe your work ethic?

Four months after that schedule, he took a position at AU Health Hospital. There, he became the Associate Director of Pastoral Care. This is a position he currently holds and has performed for 26 years. Brennan is a listening ear and resource to those at the trauma center for both employees and patients. He is a support to the patients and their families as they go through grief situations, such as a difficult diagnosis or death. He also is an encouragement for those who receive good news. Moreover, he provides training to chaplains and community volunteers who have an interest in this type of ministry.

Simultaneously, his company, Dynamic Living, continued to grow. He was invited to speak at many different educational facilities. Back-to-school programs, themed messages throughout the year, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Black History Month, and graduations were some of the many highlighted opportunities where Brennan shared his wisdom and encouraged students and adults of all ages. He typically speaks at 30 to 40 events in a year.

As well, community organizations, such as police departments and other social services, invite Brennan as a speaker. In one such program, he worked to enhance the lives of public safety workers. Police officers, sheriffs and marshals were able to attend an eight-week, two-hour a day program. The sessions introduced tools for relaxation, reducing stress and mindfulness. Brennan explained that the job of these employees “is a highly-stressed job – sometimes stress beyond imagination”. For both the officers and for the people they engage with, Brennan said that tense situations “can explode with a simple spark”. The attendees of this training learned skills for defusing tension.

Brennan’s nickname is MAD Man in his work with Dynamic Living. MAD is an acronym for ‘Making A Difference’. The name stuck after he experienced several moments in life. One in particular, was the day he was flying from Houston to his home. He had been away ten days and he really wanted to get back to his family. His flight was delayed, and he was sitting in the airport with a frustrated look on his face. A fellow female passenger continually stared at Brennan. Finally, Brennan said to the woman, “Can I help you?”. Her answer surprised Brennan. She said, “You look like a mad man. You also look like a man that makes a difference.” Even through his frustration, it touched Brennan that she saw those characteristics in him. He said that later, in reflection, he remembered a childhood picture that he had drawn.

In the drawing, Brennan had created three stages. In the first section, Brennan had drawn a stick figure of a large person helping little stick figure people. In the second stage, all the stick characters were the same size. In the third stage of the drawing, the first stick figure was holding up all the other people. The teacher asked Brennan to explain his drawing. He said he didn’t know, but he knew he was the large stick figure in the first drawing, and he knew he wanted to help people be better. The MAD Man nickname had some of its roots in that childhood image and the influence he would have with a number of people. If you have a nickname, does it reflect something important about you, Reader?

In a reflective moment, Brennan said, “my life has not always been a positive successful life. I’ve made mishaps.” He has learned that, “no matter how wrong you’ve been or how off-base, it is always grace to achieve God’s plan for your life.” Brennan said that he appeals, “to the people who might feel they would be left out.” He describes himself as a Christian. “My beliefs are at the core and foundation of everything I do,” he said. Now, all these years later, he sees his role as an influencer to those who are working directly with people. He has become the mentor, the coach and one who inspires others.

Brennan also uses his social media platform to encourage people. His church congregation and other followers turn to Brennan for inspiration with what he calls the “Word of the Day”. His pastor had been providing weekly Monday segments on Facebook called “Motivational Monday”. Followers enjoyed the thoughtful encouraging posts. Then, folks started requesting more. They said that they wanted something to get them over the mid-week hump. So, Brennan was asked to provide words of encouragement on Wednesdays. He uses his social media influence to “energize and motivate,” he said. Reader, how do you use the tools at your fingertips?

He is also the author of three books. For his most recent one, Brennan was going to write about his reflection on the book of Luke. However, in discussion with his brothers, Bryon and Benjamin, his idea expanded. Both brothers are pastors; Bryon in Texas and Ben in Louisiana. Through in-depth dialogue, the three brothers decided to expand the book. As co-authors, the text would include not just Luke, but also Matthew, Mark and John, which are the four Gospels of the New Testament. The brothers also invited their cousin, Cedric, to contribute to the book. Brennan was pleased with the new concept. He said it fit well with his life goal as part of Dynamic Living. “Bringing people together” he said – in this case it was he and his family members collaborating on the book.  Reader, are you someone that can share the limelight?

Brennan has also faced physical challenges. During the spring of 2019, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He experienced 33 weeks of radiation and then a surgical procedure for direct radiation. “It was a life changing experience.  I have spent my career helping people navigate bad diagnoses, and I was able to practice what I preach,” he said. Brennan said he had “phenomenal support” from family and friends which enhanced his healing. As well, he participated in fundraisers to contribute to the research of this disease. By the end of 2019, he was cancer-free.

A wonderful gift for Brennan was when he and his decade-long friend, Arlene, married on November 19, 2020. “Her heart was deeply connected to mine,” he said. That same year, Brennan was asked to be the official spokesperson for Taxslayer commercials – a tax preparation and financial technology company based in Augusta, Georgia.

However, shortly after their good news, a new challenge entered Brennan’s life. As chaplain in a hospital, he is a front-line worker during what we all experienced as the COVID-19 pandemic. As the year 2020 ended, Brennan tested positive for the virus.  In typical Brennan fashion, when discussing the risks that come with his work, Brennan said, “People are valuable and precious.  The sick need and deserve love and attention. The love, support and attention I’ve been able to give our patients and staff at AU (hospital) is worth this journey. I’m still living my purpose.” Now, Brennan is symptom-free.

Through his work at the hospital, in the community, on social media and with his company, Brennan exemplifies his beliefs. I’ve known Brennan for over four years. He continues to be an inspiration to me. He asks great questions and helps me flesh out ideas.  He challenges me to be my best. Brennan chooses “Dynamic Living”. Reader, if you named a company after your life, what would be the title?

 

Last month, you were introduced to world renowned fashion designer, Barbara Beccio. Her life touched and inspired many. You were delighted with her story. Maria said, “I really enjoyed this blog. It was interesting to see how Barbara adapted throughout her life. She used her creativity and her education to change according to economic demands and changes regarding lack of work. I love the skirt she made for the little girl with cerebral palsy, and it was wonderful that Barbara went on to design clothing for those with disabilities.   I never realized the special needs (different kinds of skirts) for a woman in a wheelchair. It was a very interesting and enlightening article. I found it fascinating that Barbara had so much creativity and that design of costumes is an art. People always say artists can’t make a living, but Barbara did, and when she couldn’t do it in theater, she did practical things like giving lessons, teaching in schools, making dolls clothes and clothing for people with disabilities. I love her creativity and her adaptability in life. It was very inspiring!”

Sally said she was inspired by Barbara’s story. Sally also took classes at a Singer Sewing center. She won contests for her garments which sparked a desire to possibly be a designer. Life took her in different directions, but later in life she became a skating champion while in her grandma years. I wrote a blog about Sally where she talks about making the costumes for her and her partners all through those competitive skating years. Sally said, “I would love to meet and have lunch with Barbara and chat.”

Here is the link to Sally’s story:  Skating to Retirement Blog  

• Madelyn said, “Thank you Debbie for your very informative and interesting blog about Barbara Beccio. I loved reading it.”
• Diana expressed her pleasure in seeing the work that Barbara will continue to do for those with disabilities. She also said, “What a wonderful article about Barbara and her life experience of creating and sewing garments. I was amazed at all the places where she has been and the turns her life has taken over the years. Very nice article.
• Linda said, “Yet another fascinating account of a woman who followed her dream with many detours! Keep these stories coming!”
• Ann said, “What a wonderful article Debbie, very inspiring!”
• Jan said, “This was interesting to read, especially Barbara’s line of adaptive clothing.”
• Susana said, “I just read your blog about Barbara Beccio. I just loved her life, but even better, the way you write it makes it so that I can’t stop reading it until the end. It amazes me to read of her creativity and her capability to cope with difficult times and follow her dreams.”
• Hazel said, “Debbie, you did it again! That’s a wonderful and oh-so-optimistic story about a very talented lady who follows a path that engaged her early in life and manages to work around all the obstacles she encounters.  Kudos to you for bringing her to our attention and to her for inspiring us to persist in our deepest humanitarian and creative endeavors.”

 

Until next month, may peace be at your side,

Debbie Noel

We have several ways to interact with Debbie!

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• Send your letters to:

Debbie Noel
C/o Longmont Senior Center
910 Longs Peak Avenue
Longmont, Colorado 80501

 

On Facebook, you are able to follow Brennan’s encouraging “Word of the Day” @chosencsra

 Brennan François books can be purchased from the brennanismad.com  website http://www.brennanismad.com/    

**Hannnnng in There; Persevering in Your Quest for Success by Brennan Francois

**52 Weeks of Dynamic Living by Brennan Francois

**Fresh Manna – by Benjamin Francois, Brennan Francois, Byron Francois, and Cedric Francois

 Brennan is now the official spokesperson for TaxSlayer LLC is a privately held tax preparation and financial technology company based in Augusta, Georgia. The company offers online tax preparation technology for American consumers and tax professionals, allowing them to electronically file state and/or federal returns.