Name: Paul C. Brunson
Profession: Entrepreneur & TV Host
Age: 38
One Word That Describes Me: Connector
For the past few years, one name has been synonymous with success and bringing together people for the greater good: Paul Carrick Brunson. The CEO of Brunson Holdings never thought he would be doing what he does now in a million years. A trusted member of the Black Enterprise family, the 38-year-old multitalented personality has become the face of the company’s Our World television program, as well as a recognized authority in matchmaking. A graduate of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, this Washington, D.C., resident earns props from the otherworldly famous to the underground chic.
Upon putting out his first book entitled It’s Complicated (But It Doesn’t Have to Be): A Modern-Day Guide to Finding and Keeping Love, Brunson had already created his own matchmaking agency (The Paul C. Brunson Agency) and linked thousands of individuals through his own imagination. This is a testament to the importance connections play in Brunson’s life. As the first full-time black professional matchmaker, Brunson admits he had to overcome obstacles on his way to greatness, saying, “My family and friends thought what I wanted to do was a joke at first when they learned about my professional aspirations.”
One of the key ingredients to being a well-respected interpersonal unifier is personality—something Brunson has in spades. In addition to a charming presence on the screen, it is his behind-the-scenes work that helps this eager connector to stand out. When his book debuted, it received an NAACP Image Award nomination, placing Brunson in the “who’s who” of relationship coaches, and helped him to transition into a plush gig as a co-host on Oprah Winfrey’s Lovetown, USA. “Paul is much more than a matchmaker, he’s a life coach,” Winfrey would go on to say about Brunson and his work.
Not solely defined by his work, we here at BE Modern Man asked Brunson what are some key tenets to success specific to men of color. His answer? “Resilience,” Paul told us exclusively. “The levels of resilience from our men are insane!” A true statement if you read between the lines. Brunson is a proof positive example that our normal is extraordinary beyond belief.
On the next page, read just how Paul C. Brunson breaks through the static of stereotypes and learn his strongest asset…
Married for 13 years with two sons, Brunson understands just how hard it is for positive and strong role models to be presented through mainstream media. “How to break through that static is by surrounding yourself with great people,” he advises. “Social media allows me to do that virtually, which allows us to witness hurdles and triumphs upfront.” Using Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean as an example, Brunson notes that while the top layer of his personality may read “rapper” or “producer,” if you follow him closely you’ll “see him as a father, a student, an artist, and a fly human being.” With Brunson vouching for you and lending his support, there’s no doubt that his insight and unique understanding is valuable.
A Dell Inspire 100 honoree, Brunson believes that more can be done to celebrate men of color and people as a whole. “It’s easier
and more profitable not to,” he says. “Most media follow the path of least resistance, so it’s much simpler to tell a story of a downtrodden black male versus one who just came out of Y Combinator. It becomes a widespread, never-ending cycle” says Brunson who believed that his calling would be typical of the status quo, as he thought his journey would carry him strictly into the business world. “My hobbies in high school included writing business plans and reading the Forbes 400 list,” he admitted in his biography featured at his website.Fast forward to today, where accolades frequently populate next to Brunson’s well-known name, and it is his connection to people that remains his strongest asset and most cherished impact within the African and African American community. “I strive to connect people—specifically within our community—to ideas, opportunities, resources, and other people,” he says. “There currently aren’t enough platforms for us to do that. If I’m able to make a direct change on that, then that is significant to me.”
Having appeared in major media outlets around the world from The Washington Post
to Essence, Brunson is an imaginative innovator, able to use foresight to intertwine wisdom with gumption to create myriad possibilities. Whether it is his #MentorMonday webinar series or his global awareness from serving on the board of directors for Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul, Turkey, Brunson’s work aims to be reticulated both near and far.As a modern day Renaissance man, Brunson earned his reputation through being thoughtful toward his fellow human beings and his inventiveness. From having a best-seller on Amazon to being recognized as a great relationship coach, he represents the interwoven fabric that equally yokes the black community—and proves that our normal is extraordinary.
We here at Black Enterprise salute you, Paul C. Brunson, for contributing positive images of men of color to the masses. Your mission of shifting the misrepresentations of Black men while keeping our culture in love and business alive frames us in an enthusiastic light, and is meant to be celebrated and appreciated.
Be sure to follow the latest and greatest from Paul C. Brunson (and @blackenterprise!) on Twitter.