Upper School students and faculty enjoyed a second visit from Bryan Terrell Clark, the actor/singer/writer best known for his role as George Washington in Hamilton. (Check out his website here: https://www.bryanterrellclark.com/.) Back by popular demand, Bryan delivered a successful assembly with a short presentation followed by Q&A for our older students.

 

Bryan’s inspirational messages resonated once again with our collected audience via Zoom, just as they did in February when he came to campus. Of course, in the intervening weeks, all our lives have been disrupted by COVID-19. Despite these changes, he advised us all to treat “this time as a gift” and consider what benefits come from slowing down and just “being still” more often. He encouraged this group of students to seize the opportunity on a personal level and beyond. “History has its eyes on you,” he noted, and he predicted that the Class of 2020, forever changed by circumstance, would end up being one of the most innovative classes ever.

 

When asked about personal happiness and fulfillment, Mr. Clark had some additional advice. Don’t let others define what happiness is for you; rather, look within and recognize that it’s your own responsibility to be content in your own life. Ask yourself, “How can I participate in my own happiness?” instead of expecting it to come to you or be dependent on others’ actions or approval.

 

In his own life, Bryan is very intentional. He keeps a gratitude journal and writes in it every day. (This is one of the most recommended practices from positive psychology and is backed up by brain research.) He stressed that living with more of a growth mindset requires a certain amount of discipline, but allows the space to be forgiving of yourself, too. Sometimes “you being yourself is enough,” he reminded us. He recommends finding those small things in everyday life that help you build positive momentum, and to allow time just “to turn up and have fun.”

 

Obviously, as a successful artist, he has moments of great achievement but also must confront failure regularly. For every one yes in the business, there will be at least ten no’s. So this artist tries to emphasize that a so-called failure may actually open up other opportunities, which has in fact happened to him professionally multiple times. It’s great if one sees a setback more through the lens of “not yet” as opposed to “never.”

 

All in all, Bryan Terrell Clark delivered some very uplifting messages at a time when we all appreciated hearing them. We hope he will return to campus—in person—sometime next Fall.