Dennis Mitchell is a multiple award-winning international speaker, author, and media personality with a powerful story of transformation. From interviewing icons like Yolanda King and LL Cool J to using his voice to inspire change, he has dedicated his life to uplifting others.
In this Black History Month exclusive, Dennis shares his journey, the lessons he’s learned, and his mission to make a difference.
Read on for an inspiring conversation!
Pump It Up Magazine:
Your journey is truly inspiring. You went from facing personal tragedy and incarceration to becoming a globally recognized inspirational speaker. Can you share what motivated you to turn your life around?
Dennis Mitchell:
Thank you for that question Anissa. The turning point for me was one evening on September 10th 1982 when I heard my name over the intercom while serving my 40 year prison sentence, “Mitchell C-3-25 Report to the sergeant’s office. I took a little piece of a broken mirror, stuck it outside of my 6′ by 9′ cell to look down the lockbox to notify the guard I was in my cell. When he opened the door I went to the sergeant’s office they told me the Chaplin wants to see me. I’m thinking hmmm, I must have a special visit or something so I ran down to the Chaplin’s office and knocked on his door. I was told to come in and sit down. I replied “what do you want?” The Chaplin said I have some news to tell you about your son.” Then he told me the devastating news. I immediately cursed him out and said don’t you play with me about my son I will kill you.
In a calm but gentle voice the Chaplin said I would never play with you about anything so serious. By this, time is moving very slow and my head is spinning, surely this is a lie so I went to call my mother because I knew she would tell me the real deal. The Chaplin anticipated my move and said you can use my phone. This was back in the day of the rotary phones and it seemed like an eternity and finally my dear sweet mother is on the other end. We talked for a few minutes, she didn’t say anything and I didn’t say anything and then there was a still cold silence. The anxiety was killing me and I said mom, she said what’s that baby? These fools are trying to tell me Little Dennis is dead!? Another silence and then her voice started to quiver then she burst out in tears and hysteria, I’m so sorry baby, Little Dennis is gone to be with the Lord.
Pump It Up Magazine:
Losing your son in such a tragic way must have been incredibly painful. How did that moment shape your mission to raise awareness about drunk driving and help young people stay out of prison?
Dennis Mitchell:
It was everything!. The service was the following Tuesday at my parent’s church in Spokane Washington. I remember that day as vivid as if it were yesterday. I walked in the door with armed guards on each side with handcuffs on my hands with chains down to my ankles. I felt like dead man walking. As we walked in all eyes were on me, I remember being embarrassed for my mother who was the sweetest angel anyone would ever want to meet.
As I made my way up to that little baby casket for just a moment in time all the guilt, anger, hatred and hopelessness seem to vanish for just a few moments and I talked to little Dennis and asked him what did he want from his dad. I realized that all my negotiating with God was not going to bring him back, my baby was gone. Immediately I knew that he would want his daddy to be the best he could be and not let his death be in vain. It was at that moment I unconsciously made a paradigm shift, I was no longer going to serve time and I was going to make time serve me. I didn’t know how but I made a commitment.
Pump It Up Magazine:
You’ve interviewed some major figures, from Yolanda King to LL Cool J. Was there a particular interview that deeply impacted you or reinforced your purpose?
Dennis Mitchell:
Each interview served me in a different way, Yolanda King was inspirational about how far we come and yet so far to go, her’s was about the struggle and sharing stories about her father and what they had gone through. Each interview strengthened my resolve that it’s possible for me too, that the little bad boy from Mississippi who everyone said would amount to nothing could actually be somebody and now businesses, colleges and universities and other organizations now hire me to come speak to their people and help them to transform their lives.
LL Cool J was cool because he was one of my first BIG Stars I had the privilege to interview, he was just that… Cool. Sir Mix A-Lot was also great because in additional to the interview and I worked with is people for his concert which I had the pleasure of co-emceeing. It was a blast. Big shout out to GMS Shaun Jones, he was instrumental in my work with Sir Mix-A-Lot. Thank You!
Pump It Up Magazine:
As a contributing author to Chicken Soup for the African American Soul, you’ve used storytelling to uplift others. What message do you hope people take away from your story?
Dennis Mitchell:
My message is that the past does not equal the future unless you choose to live there. My story is that anyone can change for the better if they are willing to pay the price simply by modeling the lives of other successful people. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. That is exactly what I did while I was in prison that got me released and not only kept me out, it changed people’s perception of me, not all of them because there will always be haters. I take them with a grain of salt. Even Jesus had haters, if they were good for him they are good for me.
Pump It Up Magazine:
Black History Month is about celebrating resilience, transformation, and impact. What does this month mean to you personally?
Dennis Mitchell:
Just that. I grew up in a time when I remember those signs “For Whites Only.” I remember when we used to travel we had to have picnic baskets full of food to pull over to the side of the road and eat or pull over on the side of the road and go to the bathroom in the bushes. Even to this very day I know the N word is as prevalent as it was back then. However I don’t react to it today because I know that although they are directing that at me, I don’t accept their view because it is something that I am not.
Today more than ever with the DEI roll backs we have to roll up our sleeves and get back to work knowing that this is a setup for a big comeback. We can’t wait for others to do it for us because it’s our responsibility to work together, pray together, struggle together and go to jail together if necessary as Dr. King identified in his speech because we are not free from the psychological and financial chains of segregation.
I think about what our ancestors when through just to have a seat at the table relating that to my personal experiences of not getting that keynote at an event because the organizers had their favorites and they didn’t look like me only to have the attendees come up to me and say they should have picked you to keynote Mr Mitchell. Yes the struggle is real and there is plenty of work to do.
Pump It Up Magazine:
You’ve had an impressive career in film and television. How do you use these platforms to further your message of inspiration and empowerment?
Dennis Mitchell:
Success leaves clues. I take every experience and platform and learn something of value from it from the viewpoint of how can I use this experience in my life for improvement so that I not only grow from it but be able to have a greater impact at my keynotes or/and when I am emceeing.
Pump It Up Magazine:
If you could give one piece of advice to young Black men facing struggles and setbacks, what would it be?
Dennis Mitchell:
That would be never let anyone’s opinion of you define your reality. As a youth being a PK (Preacher’s Kid) and the name Dennis Mitchell (Dennis The Menace) I had it coming and going and was told by peers, teachers and the community that I was a loser, I would never amount to anything and I would end up in prison. I believed them and it came to pass.
My message would be that they need to know where they are going, have a road map and realize that there will be pit stops, flat tires, blown gaskets, crashes and maybe even engine failure. That’s all part of the process. Instead of saying why does this always happen to me, look for the good in any and every situation no matter how bad and reframe it so it empowers you strengthening your resolve. Yes You Can Do It! There are lots of people out there willing to help you once you are willing to help yourself. Always be learning and never quit. A quitter never wins and a winner never quits. Yes you can create your own destiny!
Pump It Up Magazine:
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or speaking engagements we should know about?
Dennis Mitchell:
A friend (who happens to be a older white gentleman (Keith Curry) reached out to me this past December (2024) multiple times urging me to perform Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream,) speech. Frankly I wasn’t too excited at first doing someone else’s speech, however after going online and studying how Dr. King Jr., does it, I got excited and ideas came flowing into me on how to make it interactive and engage the crowd in order to bring all the senses into the experience. That’s a skill I have learned to master over the years, instead of just giving a talk, I make it a life-changing interactive experience. I am so looking forward to the many opportunities to speak during MLK Day and Black History Month.
In addition to the events that I do every year I will be touring, doing more work with The Women’s Healing and Empowerment Network that I am on the board for, and doing more work within the criminal justice system. I am blessed and it is a honor to be interviewed by Pump it up Magazine. Thank you for the opportunity. God is so good!
Thank you!
https://www.facebook.com/YesYouCanSucceed
https://www.youtube.com/@dennispeaks
“Dennis is great! His ability to interact with his audience, encourage them to take risks, and invite them to reflect on their lives makes for a powerful presentation. Every student and faculty on your campus should hear him… totally awesome and outrageous!” – Jim Malzewski, Director of Housing, Gonzaga University
“Dennis’s presentation changed my view on life and school for the positive! Thank you so much!” – Chen Julianus, Santa Rosa Junior College
“On behalf of the Associated Women’s Students, thanks for being a presenter at the Women’s Leadership Conference. Some of the comments about your presentation were… Dennis Mitchell was fantastic! He excited me regarding my future. He was animated, positive, compassionate, humorous, motivating, couldn’t’ have been better, and best of the day, bring him back every year!” – Diane Somerday, AWS Advisor Spokane Falls Community College
“My expectations were exceeded by Dennis’s unique and energetic presentation. He definitely had a knack of getting the staff out of their comfort zones just far enough to broaden their perspective. I am recommending that next year’s planning committee include Dennis in their search for a keynote presenter!” – Scott Wheeler, Program Coordinator, South Puget Sound Community College
“Over the past several years I have come to know and respect Dennis for his high degree of motivation, and ability to reach out and help others have a positive mental attitude!” – Dennis Roosein, V.P. Zig Ziglar Corporation
“I was very impressed with the content and Dennis’ method of delivery, from beginning to end. Many business and community leaders commented about their enjoyment of his “seeing idea innovation” presentation style!” – Ben Cabildo, Executive Director, AHANA Business & Professional Association
“Over and over I heard from this year’s Ambassadors that they were inspired, imressed, and challenged by you and we simply could not have had such an effective, thought-provoking seminar without you! They especially appreciated how genuine, energetic, and creative you were!” – Carie A. Schwede, Dir. Admissions, Gonzaga University
“I am still receiving positive feedback from your presentation you did at our freshman orientation. Thanks!!!” – Shawn Dailey, Student Activities President, Carroll College.
“Dennis Mitchell captures the attention of the audience and he is one of those presenters that you
feel you can’t get enough of… you want more!” – Sas Patterson, Staff Development, Institute for
Extended Learning
