Learn About KnowledgeBase's Educational Materials Store - Or Start Shopping (Purchase Orders Are Welcome)!


Buy "Follow The Leader" (changED - Volume 2) - The Album / Mixtape!


Buy changED (Volume 1) - The Album / Mixtape!


Subscribe To Our Podcast Via Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music | Pandora | Pod Chaser | Podcast Index | Email | Android | RSS


Reach – Then Teach (Character Education Guide)

Character Education Crossword Puzzles (Volume 1)

Common Core Math
Word Problem Of The Day

Writing Your First Business Plan (Writing Project)


(All titles available at our Teachers Pay Teachers store - an online marketplace for educators!)

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

KnowledgeBase Launches Leadership Development Kickstarter Project – Will It Change the Way Service Organizations Operate?






FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

KnowledgeBase Launches Leadership Development Kickstarter Project – Will It Change the Way Service Organizations Operate?

KnowledgeBase hopes its “Reach – Then Teach” Leadership Cohort can establish a new sustainability model to help people who help people.

Marietta, Georgia – January 20, 2015 The 2015 KnowledgeBase “Reach – Then Teach” Leadership Cohort launches its Kickstarter campaign today to raise $31,000 by February 17, 2015.

The year-long cohort is a diverse group of 12 professionals who become a team by executing mentoring, conflict resolution, and problem solving projects.

The 2015 cohort will be chosen through a competitive application and interview process.

KnowledgeBase Principal Consultant Derrick Brown (a publisher, filmmaker, executive coach & registered mediator with engineering degrees from Clemson and Georgia Tech) leads the cohort.

“Our previous 2 cohorts have teamed high school & college students with experienced professionals in creative, unconventional ways,” said Brown.

“For example, each member is a mentor and mentee – depending on our project. When we helped a local school keep iPhones off the school’s network, our younger members led that effort.”

“The older members led when we supported a homeowner association’s outreach effort by mapping its surrounding communities online.”

“Members are pleasantly surprised to learn that they are paid for their solutions. My mission is to coach each cohort to victory in ways that help our project partners reach their goals.”

“I love to engage innovators who like to solve problems and help people. I am the product of mentoring relationships, peacemaking, and problem solving. I am simply teaching what I have been taught, while continuing to learn from my students.”

In addition to the external projects, Brown also teaches and trains members by conducting workshops on diverse topics like creative problem solving, data analysis & visualization, conflict resolution, game design, and filmmaking.

“These workshops develop and sharpen our mental, physical, and strategic tools. This teaching, coupled with nurturing and guidance, produces personal growth and great fruit. The fruit is then used to feed and replant.”

Brown hopes his leadership cohorts can demonstrate and catalyze a more sustainable operating model for service organizations.

“I have led and / or advised student organizations, churches, schools, and other nonprofit organizations for over 20 years. I have seen $50,000 of effort result in $1,000 of funding. This imbalance leads to burnout, turnover, and stunted growth. I believe that crowdfunding (which matches missions with supporters) and crowdsourcing (which matches problems with solution providers) together offer a better path to sustainability.”

Contact: Derrick Brown (Principal Consultant, KnowledgeBase)
Email: derrick.s.brown@att.net
Phone: 678-467-1256
Blog:
http://reachthenteach.com
Kickstarter Project:
http://bit.ly/rtt_2015

###


About Derrick Brown (Principal Consultant)
 


I am Keisha's husband, and Hannah's father.

My *other* passion is empowering people via methods that balance skill & will, analysis & synthesis, ideas & execution, and activity & achievement.

I solve problems.


Copyright © 2015 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

About KnowledgeBase



KnowledgeBase provides customized data analyses, visualization & reporting; and "skills and drills" coaching / training (via Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS and Tableau).

We also advise clients in the wise, skillful, and efficient use of technology.

Our detailed skill set includes ...

1.    Data Visualization
2.    Geocoding / Geomapping
3.    Software Tutoring (Microsoft Excel / Word, Tableau, ArcGIS, Windows Server 2008 R2, eBay.com, Amazon.com)
4.    Public Speaking / Training / Workshops / Seminars
5.    Mentoring / Life Coaching
6.    Mediation & Conflict Resolution
7.    Character Development
8.    Business / Strategic / Technology Planning
9.    “Ghost”, Business, Speech, Song / Lyric, Creative, Expository, and Technical Writing
10.    Email List Management / Marketing
11.    Online Survey Design
12.    Curriculum / Program Design and Implementation
13.    Computer Recycling and Refurbishing
14.    Film and Music Editing / Production


About Derrick Brown (Principal Consultant)
 


I am Keisha's husband, and Hannah's father.

My *other* passion is empowering people via methods that balance skill & will, analysis & synthesis, ideas & execution, and activity & achievement.

I solve problems.


Copyright © 2014 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Dear Hannah: Stand Your Ground (Remix)


 

Dear Hannah,

Sometimes things happen that upset us. We have to feel what we feel, take the time to heal, remember what is real, and keep moving forward ...


As I lay me down to sleep
I kiss my wife and ponder deep

I wonder why, and that's OK
Answers tomorrow are questions today

Then I kneel and start to pray
Ask the Lord to have His way
Stay focused on a future day
Hope to keep all harm at bay

So my baby girl can play
Jump on me, yell "Daddy, yay!"
Master piano, dance ballet

Tell her about our wedding day
How to wait for her fiance'
Relationships begin with "hey"
Then take their course - la vie c'est

Do her work for more than pay
Know when to go, and when to stay

Correct her course if she should stray
See that this world is still cray cray

The brave are scared to disobey
But sometimes do it anyway
The fools rush in, the wise survey
Think twice, act once - avoid the fray

Accountable talk never starts with "they"
Power is more than being able to sway

Then I reach "amen" and rise again
Ready to embark, engage and win

Eyes wide shut, but with open heart
The game ain't fair, so play it smart

The road ahead is still paved with LIFE
Despite all circumstance and strife

She can change the world if I maintain
Stay on my grind, and in my lane


Love,

Daddy




Copyright © 2014 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The BIG Picture: Success = Understood Failure





To anyone who ever failed …

thought u knew
right church – wrong pew
ideas askew
what to do, what to do?

bid yesterday adieu
take a cue (or two)
to get a clue
about what to do

to begin anew
find a wise crew
just a couple - or a few
that believe and achieve, too

mortgage is due
so plan your coup
let lessons brew
as u sleep & chew

work just like glue
so they can’t c u
but get a clear view
of how much u grew



About Derrick Brown
 


I am Keisha's husband, and Hannah's father.

My *other* passion is empowering people via methods that balance skill & will, analysis & synthesis, ideas & execution, and activity & achievement.

I succeed because I understand failure.


Copyright © 2014 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

The BIG Picture: Handling Hidden Conflict - With Six-Word Stories




Mediation allows conflicting parties to recognize that they may be diametrically opposed points on the same circle - and that preservation of the circle may be more important than their points.

Formal two-party mediation is rarely sought voluntarily. It is often suggested (or mandated) by our courts or other civil authorities.

Present-day conflicts have become stickier and trickier, and usually do not result in the costly litigation that then makes mediation an attractive option. 

Rather, these conflicts are often hidden. They are maintained and intensified through the vehicles of dogma, innuendo, subversion, and marginalization.

How do you handle situations where your ...

  1. Boss bullies via emails (that no one else sees)?
  2. Neighbor / client / employee / co-worker is "strong in their wrong"?
  3. Board of directors needs directing?

None of these scenarios have perfect solutions, but their resolution includes a few powerful steps.

We present them below using six-word (or fewer) "stories" (a comprehensive, concise, simple way to handle sensitive communication) ...


Handling The Sticky & Tricky


Count All The Costs Of Resolution

  1. Accept that you cannot control others.
  2. Recognize that you can control yourself.
  3. Acknowledge that resolution may be expensive.
  4. Acknowledge that inaction may cost more.

Weigh Your Options; Choose Your Path
 

          1.  You are neither omnipotent nor powerless.
    2.   Identify all your sources of power ...
          a.  Resources (creativity, relationships and finance)
          b.  Interests (passions, purpose, and ministry)
          c.  Communication (discourse, charisma, and audience)
          d.  Expertise (information, knowledge, and wisdom)
    3.  Choose a powerful way to proceed.


Pray So You See Yourself Clearly

  1. Humility, healing, and patience are virtues.
  2. Angry roots produce many bitter fruits.
  3. Healed roots produce much better fruits.

Say What You Need To Say

  1. Freedom of speech means come correct.
  2. Learn to tell your story well.
  3. Value listening much more than speaking.
  4. Economy of words facilitate greater comprehension.
  5. Civil discourse between dissenters promotes growth.

Pay What You Need To Pay

  1. You must protect time and family.
  2. All money is not good money.
  3. You must get your money right.
  4. Freedom from oppression is not free.

Stay Committed To Actions and Consequences

  1. Your fear is your only courage.
  2. Opportunities are often disguised as conflicts.
  3. Do not mistake activity for achievement.


Please reach out if you (or someone you know) needs our help!


Sincerely,

Derrick Brown (derrick.s.brown at att.net)
Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution #39788


About Derrick Brown
 


Derrick Brown has 15 years of collective (and firsthand) experience (as a school and homeowner's association board member, school administrator, consultant, and registered mediator) handling the sticky and tricky. 

He has published more than 100 case studies based on those experiences.


Copyright © 2014 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Dear Hannah: Daddy Duty

Published on June 19, 2014

By Derrick Brown (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)



Buy This Poster (Hard Copy - 18" x 24" on glossy or satin paper):

Dear Hannah,

Daddies ...

provide
protect
teach
connect

play
pray
consider
reflect

care
share
convey
respect

explore
discover
show
expect

ask
move
improve
redirect

listen
respond
initiate
express

encourage
inspire
motivate
impress

live
love
demonstrate
confess

embrace
heal
comfort
caress

give
forgive
forsee
bless


Love,

Daddy

Copyright © 2014 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

Throwback Thursday: KnowledgeBase Projects (1994-2010)



KnowledgeBase (1994-2010)

The Universal Black Pages ("The UBP") (1994-1998)


Produced by Georgia Tech graduate students, The Universal Black Pages ("The UBP") (1994-1998) was the world's largest search engine / directory of African Internet content.

Experts and funders told us that ...

1. Search engines were not "technology".
2. Black people did not use the Internet.
3. Internet advertising would never become popular.

We did not listen, and created a timeless record of our history.

We also learned that faith protects your beliefs from doubt.

Believe in yourself and your ideas.

FOOTNOTE: Google was founded on September 4, 1998. They have done well.

The KnowledgeBase Summer Academy (1998-2003) 

The KnowledgeBase Summer Academy (hosted at Georgia Tech) (1998-2003) taught over 300 students how to (re)build, network, and use computers. Many of them were able to take their rebuilt computers home!

KnowledgeBase's Project CHIP (1998-2003)
KnowledgeBase's Project CHIP (1998-2003) recycled over 300 computers and redistributed them to families.
"Writing Your First Business Plan" (2000-2002)

"Writing Your First Business Plan" (2000-2002) helped 6 cohorts of entrepreneurs convert their GOoD ideas into mission-driven enterprises.


Tech High School (2004-2012)

Tech High School (2004-2012). We learned more than we taught. Love to Alex Mazyck for the logo!






Copyright © 2014 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2025 Derrick Brown and KnowledgeBase, Inc. All Rights Reserved.