Brandon Eisman is extra.…extra committed to love, acceptance, and diversity; extra focused on creating a positive platform for the LGBTQ+ community; extra determined to keep Lawrence a community supportive of ALL people.
A vibrant artist, entertainer, advocate, educator and local personality, Brandon, known as Deja Brooks when performing, has made an impressive, cultural footprint (often beneath a stunning gown) on Lawrence – a city known for academia, diversity and the arts.
Eisman’s ambition to celebrate compassion and community is as high-reaching as Deja’s hair. He is an active contributor to the AIDS Walk, Red Ribbon Art Auction, Cooper’s Couture, Lawrence Humane Society, Willow Domestic Violence Center, and board member for Douglas County AIDS Project, Theatre Lawrence and the Lawrence Public Library Friends & Foundation. Recently, Eisman was selected as one of the Unmistakably Local Experts for Explore Lawrence.
Additionally, Deja has been crowned the Kansas City Pride Queen 2005, Miss Gay Tri-States America 2009, 1st Alt. to Miss Gay Western States America 2011 and was a serious contender for Miss Gay America, the longest running pageantry system for female impersonation. In March 2020, Deja was crowned the very first Miss Gay Kansas United States and will be competing for the National pageant in November.
Despite his numerous accomplishments and titles, Brandon’s Transformations Charity Gala and Deja’s Reading Rainbow at the Lawrence Public Library are the crown jewels.
Transformations, voted 2017’s Best Annual Event, has raised over $90,000 for local charities since its inception in 2012 and empowers local men and women to embrace their inner drag queens. At the library, bedecked in one-of-a-kind dresses and over-the-top accessories, Deja hosts a drag queen story time, celebrating families of all kinds, love, friendship and pride for what makes us each unique.
Clearly, Eisman is extra.
He manages to do all of this while also being the proud parent of a teenage son. He wears multiple hats (each perfectly paired with Louis and Louboutins) and his narrative of hope, kindness and unity gives us life.
Links in this Episode:
Instagram: @bdeja
The Big Ask Podcast is hosted by Nicole Matthews as inspired by her book Permission, to contact her or learn more about her work please use the links below:
Instagram: @msnicolematthews
Instagram: @bigaskpodcast
Twitter: @henleyco
www.nicolematthews.com
www.thehenleycompany.com
Episode 28: The Power of Disruption as a Tool To Design the Life You Want to Live with Allison Andrews Canter
Episode 27: Surviving COVID As An Event Planner with Heidi Hiller
Episode 26: A Woman With Drive with Carrie Abernathy
Episode 25: An Entrepreneurs Return to Corporate America with Mary Beth Storjohann
Episode 24: Navigating The Kaleidoscope of Grief with Shoshanna Mitchell
Episode 23: The Power of Networking with Bobby Umar
Episode 22: Relationships are Currency with Jack Kelly
Episode 21: Media, Mentoring & MLB with Katy Temple
Episode 20: A Story Worth Telling with Andrea Michaels
Episode 19: Leading By Making A Difference in the Community with Mary Noor
Episode 18: Increasing the Emotional and Spiritual Intelligence of Senior Level Leaders with Hayley Hines
Episode 16: Redesigning The Event Experience: Through Hugs, Conversation and The Courage to Try with Nicole Osibodu & Liz Lathan
Episode 15: Life is A Special Event with Dr. Joe Goldblatt
Episode 14: Let Me Entertain You! With Anthony Bollotta
Episode 13: Share Your Brilliance with the World with Simon T. Bailey
Episode 12: Be Bold Enough To Create Something Out of Nothing with Nicole Osibodu
Episode 11: The Model for Leading in a Virtual Workplace with Dr. Ann Gladys, Author of "The Invisible Leader"
Episode 10: Treat People Like Stars, And Stars Like People with Coreen Petti
Episode 9: Taking a Step Back to Take A Step Forward with Colleen Anderson
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