Brandon Leake class shows Delta’s got talent

BY CHRISTINA GOODMAN

Photo Editor

Before Brandon Leake won the 15th season of “America’s Got Talent” in September 2020,he was an academic advisor at Delta College. Since his breakthrough as the first spoken word artist winner in the show’s history, Leake has performed nationwide, but has also returned to his Stockton roots, including Delta.

This semester he’s teaching a section of the Media Performance class (DMEDIA 31) in the Digital Media program.

How do you feel about him teaching his class that's part of your department?

Adriana Brogger: I am excited that we have Brandon Leake as an instructor. His professional experience can offer students valuable real-life insight. I am hearing positive feedback from students enrolled in his class already.

Do you hope more students will join the class for the next school year?

Brogger: DMEDIA 31: Media Performance is offered every spring. I would love it if Brandon wanted to teach it beyond this semester as I know he has so much to offer our Delta students.

Leake was an academic advisor for Delta when he won AGT.“Literally days that I was performing I would be responding to students' inquiries and requests on the live chat due to Covid,” he noted.

Leake answered questions about his experience so far as an instructor at Delta College.

What do you look forward to teaching at Delta?

Brandon Leake: “The thing that I most look forward to is being able to help students see a greater potential in their own future, especially in the creative arts.”

Do you plan on teaching more classes at Delta or this is the only class available?

Brandon Leake: “This is the only class available now,” said Leake, who said its up to Delta whether he gets more classes in the future.

When it comes to your students, what are you hoping they will gain from your class?

Brandon Leake: “When it comes to my students what I hope they gain is a sense of passion, focus and intentionally behind pretty much everything they do. Like the fundamental skills they’re supposed to learn, website building, being able to create their own audio and visual content. Being able to make themselves more of a forward facing entity that’s the purpose of the class but not everyone has the desire to create in that fashion. I want for them to learn morals and lessons that come underneath that. Of the confidence it takes for them to be able to go out and do that, the skills that’s required to be able to do that. And the mental fortitude, the spiritual fortitude it takes to be able to really believe in yourself and enough to go bet on you. Cause at the end of the day if it’s nobody but you and God you still have enough.”

Leake’s students say his lessons are relevant in their media journeys on campus.

“I like that everything we do in this class directly correlates to what I’ve already been trying to do myself,” said Camry Turner. “This class is and has given me the extra tools and push I need to progress along my field and passion.”

Turner recommends Leake’s section of DMEDIA 31.

“I would definitely recommend any students that’s trying to further their media career for this class.”

General admission is $5. Students are free with a valid identification. Children under 12 are also free.

“It’s a way of giving back to the community,” said Southard of the event.

The tickets being free for students helps out with Southard’s intentions of giving back to the community.

“The dean has said that all our music concerts are still going to be free, so it’s a great way to give back to our community,” said Southard.