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Les Brown (politician) facts for kids

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Les Brown
Les Brown speaking.jpg
Brown in 2009
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 29th district
In office
January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1983
Preceded by William Kopp
Succeeded by Ray Miller
Personal details
Born
Leslie Calvin Brown

(1945-02-17) February 17, 1945 (age 80)
Miami, Florida, United States
Political party Democratic
Spouse
(m. 1995; div. 1997)
Occupation Politician, motivational speaker

Leslie Calvin Brown, known as Les Brown, was born on February 17, 1945. He is an American politician and a very inspiring motivational speaker. He is famous for encouraging people to believe in themselves and follow their dreams. Les Brown also served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives.

Early Life and Challenges

Growing Up in Miami

Les Brown was born in Miami, Florida, on February 17, 1945. He has a twin brother named Wesley. They grew up in Liberty City, which was a low-income area. When Les was young, he was adopted by Mamie Brown. She was a single woman who worked hard as a cafeteria attendant and helped people in their homes.

Overcoming Early Struggles

In grade school, Les Brown faced a big challenge. He was told that he was "educable mentally retarded." This meant that he might learn at a slower pace. This label made him feel sad and hurt his confidence. However, he did not let this stop him from achieving great things later in life.

His Inspiring Career Journey

Starting in Radio

Les Brown often shares stories about how he started his career. He really wanted to work at a radio station. He tried many times to get a job there, but he was not successful at first. He kept trying, and eventually, he got a chance. He was hired full-time after another DJ had some trouble on air.

Becoming a Politician

After his time at the radio station, Les Brown decided to try something new. He ran for election to the Ohio House of Representatives. This is a group of people who make laws for the state of Ohio. He won the election and served from 1977 to 1981. This was a big step in his career.

Moving to Television

After leaving the Ohio State Legislature, Les Brown moved into television. He became a host on PBS, a public broadcasting channel. From September to November in 1993, he hosted his own talk show called The Les Brown Show. He also had a daily radio program in California from 2011 to 2012.

Personal Life

Les Brown married the famous singer Gladys Knight in 1995. They were married for two years before they divorced in 1997.

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