About

Motivational speaker Les Brown launched The Greatness Center, an empowerment/achievement center at the historic Regal Theatre, 1645 East 79th Street on the south side.of Chicago.  Mr. Brown  joined by comedian Steve Harvey, the popular radio and television personality and best-selling author, as well as Rev. Charles Jenkins, pastor of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, at the Center’s opening.

“It has long been a dream of mine to develop this center,” Brown says, “to address a range of individual and community needs and dreams, from a site with a solid community presence. We want to help people get more grounded mentally and emotionally, and to help them learn, connect, grow and achieve.”

T. Wayne THE BUILDER drove from Columbus, Ohio in his  Academic Assault Vehicle (AAV). A box truck he converted into a fully loaded  15'  "classroom on wheels."
THE BUILDER is working in a strategic partnership with Les Brown to Build Lives, or as he says:

"We Come, We Build, We Learn"

T.Wayne THE BUILDER joined Les on stage to speak to the crowd of nearly 1000 in attendance. When the program came to a close THE BUILDER and  the five members of his BUILDER Crew stayed as two of his young mentees stayed to give tours of the AAV parked in front of The Greatness Center.

The Greatness Center is a comprehensive approach to social, personal and professional development. The Center will offer leadership development, skill-and-resource-development courses, motivational rallies and workshops, and establish a collaborative network for personal, professional, and entrepreneurial growth.

In lending his support, Steve Harvey says, “I have always wanted to do more than make people laugh. I want to help people grow. The Greatness Center is the kind of program I support, because it will have a positive impact on the community.”

Pastor Jenkins says, “Greatness always begins as a seed that must be cultivated, fertilized and watered. The Greatness Center is a headquarters for this process, and I am excited about the hope it brings to our communities.”

The Greatness Center will conduct its first Saturday service from 9-10:30 a.m. on September 25, 2010. In addition to the Saturday morning session, The Greatness Center will regularly host and conduct a variety of learning forums, including on-site classes and workshops, as well as on-line courses and webinars.

“We want to help people develop the skills to achieve at the highest levels, and be able to create their own opportunities,” Les Brown says. “We will use business boot camps, as well as workshops in public speaking, life skills, and leadership, along with classes in language and reasoning skills, tailored to the individual’s need.”

The Greatness Center is developing a long-term plan that will expand its reach, not only geographically, but in the content of its programs as well. The Center’s learning program is aimed at introducing people to current and emerging technologies, and empowering them to utilize a range of potential career and business options.

Although the Greatness Center will begin operating from the Regal Theatre, it is anticipated that other resources, locally, nationally and internationally, will be used to help create a global presence and make a global impact. Talayah Stovall, on air radio personality, entrepreneur and author, will serve as the Center’s Chicago interim director, responsible for operations, implementing and coordinating the Center’s programs and activities.