Know Thyself: Using Your Uniqueness to Create Success

Ascent Studio, Monday, 1:45pm – 2:45pm

Television Host and Culture Expert on the Emmy-nominated Netflix reboot of Queer Eye, Karamo Brown says that the key to his success is tapping into the many facets of his identity. Whether as an openly gay man, a black man, a single father, or psychotherapist, Karamo strategically utilizes the strengths of his different identities to achieve success – and teaches others to do the same. Lauded for his ease and natural comfort in relating to different types of people, Karamo is tasked with making-over the hearts and minds of the “culturally challenged,” and helps them to confront and grow beyond the internal issues holding them back.

According to the LA Times, “Karamo is at the intersection of where pop culture, social media, and real life collide!” Winner of a Television Critics Association award, the cast is set to release their lifestyle book, Queer Eye: Love Yourself, Love Your Life, on November 13. It will be divided into five sections based on each of the cast members’ area of expertise.

Brown began his television career in 2004 as a housemate on the MTV hit reality series The Real World, becoming the first openly-gay African- American in the history of reality television. Shortly after the conclusion of The Real World, Karamo learned that he was the father of a nine-year-old boy, Jason. With the support of his child’s mother, Brown petitioned and gained full custody of his son. A year later, Karamo adopted Jason’s half-brother Christian.

In 2014, he joined the Oprah Winfrey Network to host and produce their first digital show, #OWNShow.

From there, Karamo became a host and producer for Hu Post Live, a recurring guest host of Access Hollywood Live, and a contributor for HLN/CNN. He was also host of MTV’s Are You The One: Second Chances.

As a co-founder of 6in10.org, an organization addressing the mental health and self-esteem of individuals affected by HIV, Karamo was the recipient of the 2018 Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award. He was also invited by the Obama Administration to work with the White House to create policy and legislation supporting LGBTQ youth and their allies after school hours.

Karamo is an active member of the Never Again MSD gun-control movement after his Florida high school, Stoneman Douglas, suffered a fatal shooting in 2018.

A graduate of Florida A&M University, Karamo worked as a licensed social worker and psychotherapist for over a decade before transitioning into media.