About Brian Willingham

About Brian Willingham

Willingham is a 1983 graduate of Flint’s Central High School, former US Army Sergeant, husband and father of three children. He lost contact with his own father at a young age and was without a real male role model till age fourteen when his mother remarried. He has taken that background and turned it into an active life that includes a myriad of community activities including organizing after-school activity programs, father/son events, and promoting his book.

Book signings include displays of his photographs and readings of his poetry accompanied by his dynamic social reflections on life and it’s meanings.

Brian is a very popular speaker at police departments and social groups. His topics include racial diversity training, where he delves into the historical background of the legal and social history of racial segregation and the law. As a consultant for The Institute for Leadership and Diversity at Lake Michigan Community College in Benton Harbor, Brian is currently developing a cultural diversity curriculum designed specifically for police officers.

Brian is a gifted speaker who has a deep connection with the communities he serves. Part sermon, part entertainment, part art, his presentations are always dynamic and engaging.

As executive producer of the "What's Reading Got To Do With It!" program on F.A.C.T. Channel 17 on Comcast from Scott Elementary School, Brian is a positive force in the educational of children. The program features book reviews from kids and is great fun!

Links to more information about Brian (click here).

Download Brian's Press Kit (click here) file size - 3.3 Mb.

Recent Engagements/Shows

Guest Speaker for Michigan State University Criminal Justice Police Processes class. The class discussed the effects of the economy and politics on police services.

Guest Speaker for the University of Michigan-Flint Sociology Race and Ethnic Relations class. The focus of the presentation was racial profiling.

Guest Speaker for the University of Michigan-Flint Introduction to Police Systems class. The presentation was centered on basic patrol operations.

Guest Speaker for the University of Michigan-Flint Multicultural Education class. Poetry reading, discussion on the trends of law enforcement problems with urban children per his observations as a police officer.

Guest Speaker at Lake Michigan College for Black History Month. Poetry reading, photography display, observation of black life as a police officer at both the Benton Harbor and the South Haven campus.

Guest Speaker at Baker College honoring the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. The presentation combined a poetry reading from his book, thoughts on Dr. King’s philosophy and observations of black life as a police officer.

Speaker for various high schools and churches across Flint and the state of Michigan.

Recognized by The Resource Center of Flint as a top volunteer in the Flint/Genesee County area.

Displayed photography as a part of The Greater Flint Arts Council African-American Artist Exhibit. The images have been on a year long traveling outreach exhibit by the Greater Flint Arts Council which included Flint City Hall.

Thunder Enlightening, the poetry and photography of a black man in middle America is used as part of the curriculum in the Flint Y.W.C.A. Anti-Racism Initiative. Also the Mott College Theater Department is currently working on a play based on the book.

Distinguished Alumnus of Flint Central High.

March 2004 recipient of the Society of Africa-American Police - Flint "Raising Community Awareness Award".