published on July 15, 2024 in Informative Details

The Optimist: A Conversation with Karamo Brown

Correction: In this interview, Karamo Brown was referred to as a licensed psychotherapist and social worker. He is not. That was incorrect. We regret the error. He has trained in psychotherapy and worked in social services.

One in five U.S. adults report feeling “high levels of psychological distress” because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts say prioritizing mental health, wellbeing and empathy will be crucial as society reckons with the long-term consequences brought on by these challenging times. Join Washington Post Live for our ongoing series, “The Optimist,” featuring conversations that aim to both inspire and inform. On Thursday, July 1 at 3:00pm ET, “Queer Eye” host Karamo Brown joins Washington Post senior critic-at-large Robin Givhan to discuss his advocacy around mental health and advice on how to adjust to our new normal as society reopens.

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Highlights

The “Queer Eye” host says his optimistic outlook is bolstered by engaging with people and seeing their desire to learn and grow. “Traveling around on ‘Queer Eye’… doing speaking engagements… having people reach out to me on my direct messages, I realize that people do have a desire to learn and grow… And that keeps me optimistic because I see the growth, whether it’s slow or whether it’s fast, I know that we’ll get there… Things are slowly getting better, it’s progress, not perfection and I believe that we’ll continue to get there.” (Video: Washington Post Live)

Karamo Brown says his work recently has focused on helping young people process trauma from exposure to violence. “There’s a generation that has seen people die in the streets on loop. We have no idea the PTSD, the mental health ramifications that are going to be happening for this generation… My priority is to really help those individuals focus on what are the things that are happening to them mentally and emotionally that is going to pop up… two years from now, 10 years from now.” (Video: Washington Post Live)

The “Queer Eye” host says diversity in healthcare is important so that everyone's’ needs and experiences are listened to and understood- especially those in minority communities. “My first doctor was not a gay man… and didn’t have any understanding of the LGBTQ community. And so I went there to talk about an experience I was having with my body… And I remember distinctly this man saying, ‘Oh yeah yeah don’t worry about that.’ And I was like, ‘Did you just tell me not to worry about my health?’ And he was not trying to be malicious in any way, he just didn’t understand. So that’s why diversity is so important… It’s important for there to be people that look like you, who understand your experiences, who are taking care of you as well.” (Video: Washington Post Live)

“I maintained it by not pretending that every moment had to be perfect. And I think that we can get into a space where optimism can become a crutch and an unhealthy crutch… Part of what makes optimism and knowing that things will be great is identifying in the moment things are not okay and saying that I have the resources, I have the love for myself, the love from others to get through this.” (Video: Washington Post Live)

Karamo Brown

Provided by representatives with Karamo Brown.

The Emmy nominated host and Culture Expert on Netflix’s international hit series Queer Eye, Karamo is a ‘sympathetic talk therapist wrapped inside a life coach and zipped into a fast fashion bomber jacket…” according to The New Yorker.

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Lauded for his ease and natural comfort in relating to different types of people, Karamo is tasked with making-over the hearts and minds of the individuals they help on the show; by helping them to confront and grow beyond internal and external issues.

Onstage, Karamo draws from his work in social services to show how he both discovered and learned to explore his many different “identities”. Whether as a black man, openly gay man, a son of immigrant parents, a Christian or a single father; Karamo strategically utilizes the strength of his numerous identities to achieve success – and teaches others to do the same.

Available through Luminary, Karamo’s Podcast, Karamo, is an in-depth look at life’s thorniest issues where everyday people from around the world can call in and chat with Karamo to receive direct advice or share their personal feelings on the everyday situations affecting their lives. The show also includes special interviews with Karamo’s celebrity friends who share personal moments from their lives with Karamo. Season 3 returns in 2021.

In early 2020 he launched skincare brand MANTL, aimed at empowering bald(ing) men to continue to feel powerful and embracing themselves. An instant success, the brand is now sold online on mantl.co and at Nordstrom Nationwide. It launches in Europe in Spring 2021.

His memoir, “Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope,” explores how the challenges in his own life have allowed him to forever transform the lives of those in need. His best-selling children’s book, “I Am Perfectly Designed,” is an empowering mantra for kids and adults to embrace authenticity. The beautifully illustrated book is co-authored with his son, Jason ‘Rachel’ Brown.

In 2004 Brown was the first openly gay African-American in the history of reality television on the iconic series The Real World.

Shortly after the conclusion of The Real World, Karamo learned that he was a father of a nine-year-old boy, Jason. With the support of his child’s mother, Brown petitioned and gained full custody of his son. A year later, Karamo adopted Jason’s half-brother, Christian.

Karamo was the recipient of the 2018 Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award. Karamo continues to work directly with President Obama and his My Brother’s Keeper Alliance empowering today’s youth. He also meets with members of congress on policy and legislation supporting LGBTQ youth and their allies on both sides of the aisle.

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