Thread by @JohnHultquist

1/ Follow this thread as I highlight @blar51
as part of the #sharethemicincyber campaign. I am proud to give this talented #cybersecurity practitioner the spotlight. #BlackNatSec #BlackTechTwitter

2/ Meet @blar51, an incredibly talented cybersecurity practitioner you should know all know! Born and raised in Detroit, MI, Brandon has an associate’s degree in Computer Networking from Washtenaw Community College and works at Proofpoint.

3/ @blar51 was introduced to computers through friends in the year 2000 and developed his skillset at a computer trade school.

4/ @blar51 says once he touched the computer and started to learn, "It's like something came alive inside of him."

5/ As a Senior Sales Engineer @blar51's focus is centered around various cybersecurity issues such as Email and Threat Detection.

6/ @blar51 says one of the themes of his career, from early on, was being one of the few black people on a team or department. This at times felt isolating. As often there were no peers who looked like him to relate to.

7/ With this came the unspoken pressure of representing black culture in meetings and company functions. "I realized that what I did either opened or shut doors for black people," says @blar51.

8/ In spite being one of the few Persons of Color @blar51 was able to break barriers by being the first black tech support team lead at Barracuda for his office and possibly the company.

9/ @blar51 continued on to help pioneer the security SE team and would take a leadership role on that team in the future.

10/ @blar51 then joined Tenable Networks where he was the only black enterprise sales engineer.

11/ @blar51 then came to Proofpoint where he currently works. He is still one of the few black SE’s on his team.

12/ @blar51 now sits on a diversity board at Proofpoint to champion black causes & increase black visibility. "One thing I will say. Proofpoint has really put forth effort to stamp out systemic racism," he says.

13/ Giving back has always been a passion of his. @blar51 has a passion for working with kids.

14/ @blar51 is the Advisory Chairman for the Computer Systems Networking Early Middle College Program at Henry Ford High School in Detroit. This is a pilot program that is new to Detroit public schools in partnership with Lawrence Tech, DTE and others.

15/ Students apply 9th grade year and are enrolled from 10th grade until the completion of their first year of college. The program allows participants to become a student of the college while still taking high school classes. @blar51

16/ Upon completion of the program, students receive an Associates Degree in Computer Science or Networking. All while having the classes paid for by the school district. @blar51

17/ @blar51's role is to help review student applications and provide industry expertise around industry certs. He also verifies that curriculum matches industry expectations. The advisory board consists of multiple CISOs and industry experts.

18/ @blar51 also helps with marketing. He develops content and pitches the program.

19/ @blar51 has a podcast named Coaches_Corner. The podcast cover topics such as leadershp training, career advice, and entrepreneur advice. open.spotify.com/show/1AQuWejnu…

20/ @blar15 also is an avid poetry writer. He is looking at becoming a first time author soon when his book When Words Won't Form My Pen Speaks comes out January 5th! If you are fan of poetry feel free to reach out, he loves sharing his writing with others.

21/ If you want to get in touch with or learn more about the work of @blar51, reach out to him on Twitter or LinkedIn. #ShareTheMicInCyber.