Feature #65: Daunte Henderson, College, Careers, and Skills Teacher

Name: Daunte Henderson

Current Job Position Title:11th Grade College, Careers, and Skills Teacher

Company Name:Epic Academy Charter High School

Contact Information: daunte@mynameisdaunte.com (booking for speaking engagements); dhenderson@epicacademy.org (teaching email) 

Special skills: Public Speaking, Writing, Teaching

Describe your job story: 

I always wanted to do something bigger than myself. As a child I would dream about impacting the world with my talents. I've been searching for my purpose since a child. I'll give you the very short story of how I walked into my purpose.

I had a series of jobs since 2008 that I felt weren't aligned with my happiness or what I thought my life should be. Disappointed, lost and jaded were a few adjectives to describe how I felt as I sought happiness beyond a paycheck. My last job laid me off (non-performance reasons) and I got the wonderful opportunity to sit and think for a minute. During this time I traveled, reflected and asked myself the question, "What is my purpose, God?" I read "The Purpose Driven Life" and it opened my eyes to the purpose I was already living in. I wrote a book that inspired other people to follow their passions and find God. I worked with youth and impacted their lives by being a good role model. I also was doing motivational speaking to various age groups and impacting their lives through my messages. The only missing component was a job that encapsulated all of these
talents and experiences. 

My current job is my dream job. It's better than any book I've written and any speech that I've delivered. I get a chance to impact the lives of young minority men and women on a daily basis. I couldn't think of a better job. Amen.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? 

 Psychologist, Black Historian, Famous

Are doing your dream job? 

Absolutely

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?

I like working with the students the most. I get life from being in front of them and impacting their lives. 

The worst part of my job is that not all of the results are immediate. Being an awesome young adult is not quantifiable, but I can qualitatively see that as they get older and watch their growth. 

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 

Teaching, writing my third or fourth book, Married(hopefully lol) and enjoying life. 

Are you happy with where you are in life? 

Yes

What more do you want to do with your life? 

I want to help my mother retire early, become a pastor, put my cousins through college, inspire young minorities to reach their full potential and a family. (in no particular order)

What drives/motivates you?

Young Minorities are still behind in society, my mother still works, Sallie Mae still calls my phone and the whole world doesn't know about me yet.

What else do you do? 

I'm the author of "Things I Learned While Walking" and "Feelmatic" . I do motivational speaking across the country. I'm also a private consultant for a few brands. 

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

God knows what you want. He hears your cries. He's waiting on you to boldly ask and expect your blessing. Walk in faith. Persevere and keep your head up. Also, don't wait for them to nominate you.  A lot of us wait for other people to do things for us, when we can do them ourselves. Pray, Be Patient and Prosper.