he has become. If you measure success solely by a man’s career, then he is on a high right now, working within the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) family. I asked him if it had always been a part of his plan to become a media maven, “I have always wanted to do it, but after the The Real World, I lost my focus. So, I took a few years off, partially because I was raising my kids and partially to find my talent and voice. Once I knew who I was, I went after it 1000 percent.” He hit the ground running once he moved back
to California in 2011 and as he said, “I started taking classes and working for anyone who would put a mic in my hand.” Persistence paid off, as it often does, “After about a year and a half, the opportunity to host #OWNShow came about; when I heard about it, I knew it was mine. I went in and made sure to be my most authentic self and it worked. I have been host- ing it for over a year now and we just got renewed for a second season.” The success he found there has led to other exciting opportunities, “In the past several months, I started working with Dr. Drew as a nightly guest contributor on his live HLN show, Dr. Drew On Call, which has been amazing. Being able to give my point of view as gay, black and a father on the latest news topics has been such a blessing. That and learn- ing from Dr. Drew, who is a true talent, helps me to grow nightly.” The #OWNShow is the new exclusive digital series
“I hope that people, just by seeing me,
realize that if I can do it... they can too. My life is a testimonial about the power of
love, faith and hard work.”
how they apply the skills I’ve taught them in everyday situations.” As far as advice for other LGBT parents, who are
considering parenthood, he was emphatic in his counsel; “First, I would tell them that they will be great parents. Kids just want love, if your heart is open and you’re willing to give unconditional love, you will be great. Secondly, there is a community of support available. If you seek it out, they will find it. Utilize support groups, because together, we are stronger
36 RAGE monthly | OCTOBER 2014
as parents.” Paying it forward and giving back is important and Brown does so with organizations that insure a better future for kids. “I am really big on backing organizations that support LGBT youth and, youth in general. Once I became a father, it really hit home that our children really are our future and it is up to each of us to make sure that they are supported and loved.” He spoke earlier, of flourishing because of father- hood and how the lessons helped him to be the man
on
Oprah.com, that Karamo shares with fellow hosts, Danisha Daniel Houston and Ami Desai. I asked him to describe the show, “We continue the different conversations being shared on all of the Oprah platforms (OWN, O Magazine, etc.) but we do it in bite size stackable videos.” The first question that came to mind was: Who chooses the content? “The producers really empower us (their hosts) to bring our voices to the pieces. They don’t want robots. So, if we are discussing a topic and it resonates with me as a father, I share my thoughts and how it can be more relatable to our audience.” I admire Brown’s focus and his successes. His
children are a priority and he has managed to build his life and raise his sons well. Maybe it is possible to have it all? The lasting legacy he would like people to be left
with is? “I hope that people, just by seeing me, realize that if I can do it... they can too. My life is a testimonial about the power of love, faith and hard work.”
Bravo Karamo, bravo.
You can see Karamo Brown on #OWNShow at
oprah.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and Twitter @KaramoBrown
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