Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Strayhorn.
Hi Brian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, my name is Brian Strayhorn. I’m a Cincinnati native, born and raised here. I grew up transitioning through Downtown, College Hill, and Springdale, experiencing a wide variety of social situations and educational settings. Things that remained common factors for me were God, family, and basketball.
I graduated from Princeton High School, Cincinnati State Technical College with my associate’s, and later Northern Kentucky University with my bachelor’s. Throughout my educational career, I used basketball to help motivate me, in and outside of the classroom. I ventured into the educational field in 2006 working in the Charter School Sector. I learned so much working in many educational positions.
In 2006 I also opened the Bright Star Summer Camp, as an extension of the youth services Bright Star Community Church provides. Since 2006 we’ve serviced over 1000 kids for summer camp programming. We were awarded the #1 Summer Camp in the City of Cincinnati for the last five years.
I also began coaching youth basketball while working in the school sector. I decided to create a company to continue to give back to the community, with the tips, and tools we learned from playing basketball. That company is The Movement Sports & Enrichment Foundation. Since 2013 we’ve provided the city of Cincinnati with basketball instruction and programming through camps, personal training, AAU teams, tournaments, leagues, and much more. In 2018, we were awarded the #1 Small Business in Cincinnati by the University of Cincinnati GOERING Business Center.
In 2018 I began working at DOHN Community High School. I’m proud to say working in a leadership position, and as Head Men’s Basketball Coach of DOHN Prep Post Grad, has been a true honor and joy. We daily cater to over 100 athletes who all are seeking collegiate scholarships. Over the last five years, we’ve sent over 30 student-athletes to play college basketball. We strive for academic, athletic, and character excellence from our students every day, with the hashtag #chasingscholarships driving us.
As I continue to promote, inspire, and encourage the youth of today, I’m reminded of my elders who have done it before me. Giving honor to the late Rev. Willie L. Strayhorn, who has his own Day in the City of Cincinnati, dedicated to the high-quality level of work he’s performed in our youth, and my father Rev. James Strayhorn, Pastor of Bright Star Community Church, who’s in the business of winning souls over to Christ daily through his great work in and out of the community.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road, but nothing promising in life rarely is. The biggest challenge for me was finding value in the process. Once I learned that things became smoother.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m currently the Building Coordinator and Head Men’s Basketball Coach at DOHN Prep Academy.
I’m most proud of my work with today’s youth, in the school sector and on the basketball court.
What sets me apart from others, would be that same thing that makes everyone different, my gift. God has given everyone a specific gift, and when you learn to walk in your purpose and use your gift to give to others, it makes for a very rewarding life.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
The biggest risk is not taking a risk at all. Everything in life has a risk. The biggest lie told to today’s youth is that there is a “safe zone,’ and that “everything is going to be okay.” It’s not! Especially during the times, we’re living in now. If you stay in your comfort zone and do not take risks, you don’t grow, and things that don’t grow eventually die. Risk-taking is important to survive. Risk-taking teaches one of the most important skills that every successful adult has learned over time, “Being okay with everything not being okay.”
Contact Info:
- Email: bstrayhorn@dohncincy.org
- Instagram: @brianstrayhorn
- Facebook: @brian_strayhorn
- Twitter: @CoachBStray
