Roberto Germán [00:00:00]:
Welcome back to Our Classroom. Today, I am joined by Brian Jordan, an acclaimed children's book author and multi-sport legend. Listen, if you grew up watching the Braves or the Falcons—well, I didn’t grow up watching the Falcons, but I definitely grew up watching the Braves and loved them. So when I knew I had the opportunity to interview Brian Jordan, I was like, "Let’s go!" Absolutely.
Roberto Germán [00:00:31]:
Besides being a presence as an athlete, Brian is an inspirational speaker and philanthropist dedicated to fostering a love of reading and learning among young people. Known for his remarkable achievements as a two-sport professional athlete with the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons, Brian has shifted his focus to using his platform to inspire and educate young minds through literature. He believes that if you cannot read, you cannot succeed. Through his books, foundation, and advocacy work, Brian Jordan continues to build a lasting legacy as a champion for youth literacy and education, providing young readers with the inspiration and resources they need to achieve their dreams. And that’s what we need, folks—people hitting the pavement, supporting our young people so they can achieve their dreams. Let’s remove the barriers, provide the resources, and challenge and encourage them to be literate so they have access to knowledge they can use to advance themselves. Brian Jordan, thank you for being here.
Brian Jordan [00:01:42]:
It’s a pleasure, Roberto. And thank you for what you do. I really appreciate it. Your poetry and everything you write about, man, is awesome.
Roberto Germán [00:01:51]:
Listen, I’m flattered that you’ve read some of my work. I’m excited because there is alignment in what you’re doing. I read quite a bit about your foundation and saw how you visit schools, pump up the kids, and lead your reading challenge. We’re going to talk about all of that. But I’m very passionate about supporting young people, helping them find their voice, and championing literacy movements. So, I appreciate what you’re doing, and I’m eager to learn more. Let’s dive in.
You obviously had a great career as a professional athlete. Then you pivoted into children's literature, which is a very different lane. How did the discipline and perseverance you honed as a two-sport athlete influence your approach to writing and literacy advocacy? I think it’s important for young people to hear this because so many are inspired to be athletes but may not be as committed to reading. Here you are—a person who reached the highest level in sports and now a champion for literacy. Talk to us about how your discipline and perseverance play out in this realm.
Brian Jordan [00:03:32]:
First of all, I thank you for this opportunity. You know, it all started with me being lucky to have two parents in the household who motivated me to dream big. My dad always said, "No dream is too small, no dream is too big." As a kid, my dad was a great athlete, and my grandfather always told me, "Your dad was better than you." So, as a kid, all I wanted to do was be better than my dad. That fueled my dream. I wrote it down and said, "I want to be a two-sport professional athlete."
So many people doubted me and told me I couldn't achieve it. But my dad said, "That's not true. The dream is not too big; you just have to focus and practice." My mom, being an educator, made me write down my goals and work towards them. I never thought I would have a reading challenge and be writing children's books, but when you look at how I approached sports—with focus, dedication, and determination—it translates to reading. I had to be competitive as a reader, just like in sports. I had to figure that out on my own, and now I want to help kids understand that reading takes practice and effort, just like anything else.
Roberto Germán [00:05:19]:
Man, there is so much that resonates with me. I also grew up in a two-parent household, and my parents were influential in my life. As a Dominican, baseball was always there, even though basketball was my first love. Now, as a father of three kids—two daughters and a son—I see my son always trying to beat me in sports. I love it. One day he’s going to get there, and my job is to guide, challenge, and encourage him. That’s exactly what you’re doing with young readers—pushing them to believe they can conquer the challenges in front of them.
But I know you had your own struggles. You personally dealt with undiagnosed dyslexia. What role did your early struggles with reading play in shaping your mission to create engaging books for children and inspire them to overcome their own obstacles?
Brian Jordan [00:09:26]:
My early challenges were tough. My mom was an educator, and she read to me a lot, but I was a visual learner. I memorized words based on the pictures. My mom didn’t realize I was struggling because I could retell the story just from the pictures. In school, when the teacher asked, "Who wants to read next?" I would lay my head down and act like I was sick because I was embarrassed.
But just like in sports, I had to challenge myself. I taught myself to read because I was too embarrassed to tell my mom I was struggling. A lot of kids go through that today—they get quiet and withdraw. I want kids to know that it’s okay to struggle as long as they keep working at it.
Today, when I share my story, kids see that video of me playing two professional sports, and I have their attention. That’s the hook. And when I talk about my struggles, I see kids nodding, whispering, "That’s me." That’s why I do what I do.
Roberto Germán [00:12:45]:
That’s powerful. I know you have the Brian Jordan Foundation. Are you primarily focused on the Atlanta area?
Brian Jordan [00:12:54]:
No, we’ve given scholarships across different states. It’s about applying. I don’t care where you’re from—I want to hear your story and see what makes you different. My foundation is about giving kids opportunities to succeed, and seeing them become CEOs, teachers, and leaders is the most rewarding part.
Roberto Germán [00:16:06]:
Brian, what’s the message of encouragement you want to offer our audience?
Brian Jordan [00:16:12]:
Have a giving heart. Volunteer and help others, especially if you have the means. The more we invest in our kids, the greater the impact. Even if we help one or two kids a day, that adds up to massive change.
Roberto Germán [00:20:48]:
If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Brian Jordan [00:20:55]:
Harriet Tubman. She was a leader, a strategist, and a selfless hero. I’d have a million questions for her.
Roberto Germán [00:21:37]:
Great choice. Brian, keep up the amazing work. Your literacy initiatives are making a real impact. Know that you have my full support.
Brian Jordan [00:22:09]:
Thank you, Roberto. I appreciate your work, too. Let’s keep changing lives together.
Roberto Germán [00:23:31]:
Peace and blessings!
