Brandon Novak
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Brandon Novak is a professional skateboarder discovered by Tony Hawk and a part of the renowned Powell-Peralta team, an MTV celebrity (Viva La Bam, Bam’s Unholy Union), an alumnus of the Jackass motion picture series, a star of the legendary CKY skateboard video series, and author of his best-selling addiction memoir Dreamseller.
Brandon is able to relate to ten of millions of people across the country; 1 in 4 to be exact who are directly affected by addiction in their family. Brandon Novak keynotes the National Youth Summit on Opioid Awareness in partnership with the DEA and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation. The National Youth Summits on Opioid Awareness are a half day school event designed to educate middle and high school students about the dangers of opioid misuse while promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The Summits take place in several cities across the United States. Through the foundation’s partnership with the DEA 360 Events, thousands of high school level children have the ability to attend a very impactful event with speakers, musical entertainment, and engaging discussions.
About his numerous keynote and speaking engagements Brandon says, “It’s cool to connect with the kids because they are the future. If they can get to see what I went through and how drugs messed my life up, it makes a difference. They have to see it to believe it. Kids don’t want to sit in a classroom through a boring lecture and be told what not to do. You have to do it in a way that they can relate and feel empowered to make smart choices. This is what these events do. I am proud to be a part of them. It’s a rad experience.”
Novak’s gritty memoir, Dreamseller, offers no cliché-ending of “an addict who got out before it was too late”. The book has been praised for its honesty. It is the story of an anti-hero whose lust for heroin caused him to throw away his lifelong dream of being a pro skater for a needle. Novak’s dark depiction of his addiction is craftily balanced with insightful humor and humanistic observations. Dreamseller inspires addicts to seek the help they so desperately need. “It’s never too late to change your life,” Novak says, “Your history doesn’t have to dictate your future, and as long as you’re breathing it’s never too late.”
