Brandon P. Fleming is an American educator, author, and nationally acclaimed speaker whose extraordinary journey from poverty to Harvard has inspired audiences across the country. Once a college dropout working on a potato chip factory assembly line, Fleming transformed his life through relentless self-education and a newfound passion for debate, eventually rising to become a prominent voice in American education.
Fleming is best known as the founder and executive director of the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project, an initiative that trains students from underserved communities to compete at elite academic levels and gain admission to top universities. He also served on the faculty of Harvard University's Summer School, where he taught rhetoric and directed debate programs.
His memoir, Miseducated: A Memoir (2021), chronicles his struggle with poverty, low expectations, and an education system that failed him, offering a powerful critique of how schools overlook talented youth from marginalized backgrounds. The book has been widely praised for its honesty and its urgent call for educational equity.
Through his writing, teaching, and advocacy, Fleming champions the transformative power of education and continues to mentor the next generation of young leaders.