25 Years of Faith, Service, and Community Work

Some of you may have heard my name before, or you may know me through local community events, school, church, or different networking circles. But I wanted to take a moment to share a little more about who I am, where I come from, and the heart behind the work I do.

My name is Brandon Bornes. I was born in Oceanside, California, and grew up in Vista, CA. I have two brothers and one sister, and both of my parents served in the Marine Corps. I have been married for almost 15 years, and my wife and I are blessed with four children. I am a Christian, and my faith in Jesus has been a major part of my life since I was young.

Growing up, I was involved in AWANA, a Christian organization that helps kids memorize Bible verses while building community and having fun. I participated from elementary school almost through the end of high school. As a high school student, I also helped younger kids learn and memorize Bible verses.

I attended Rancho Buena Vista High School in Vista, California, where I played football and ran track. During high school, I became a California State Champion in the 300-meter hurdles. I later attended San Diego State University on a full-ride football scholarship. While in college, I served as president of Athletes in Action for three years and led weekly Bible studies for student-athletes.

After graduating from college, I joined a Christian mentoring organization called The Navigators. The Navigators focused on helping men learn how to mentor other men, and helping women learn how to mentor other women, so they could grow in their faith and help others do the same.

I moved to Maryland, where I spent five years helping launch a new campus ministry at Bowie State University, a historically Black college. Later, I moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where I helped train young Christian staff from across the country who were launching campus ministries and learning how to raise support for the work God called them to do.

After seven years with The Navigators, I began a new career with the Colorado Department of Human Services as a Youth Services Specialist. I worked in a juvenile facility with young men between the ages of 13 and 20 who had committed serious offenses.

In that role, we practiced conflict resolution, coping skills, positive behavioral supports, and learning how to repair harm that had been done to others. I also helped support their reintegration back into the larger community and worked with their families throughout that process. I served in that role for seven years.

During that time, I also launched what is now called My Black City, with the goal of helping bring my local Black community together through festivals, community projects, and local initiatives. We are approaching 10 years since that launch, and over that time we have helped organize dozens of community initiatives across two states and brought together over 10,000 people in person through different events and projects.

A few years ago, my wife and I moved back to California. I began working with local schools in different roles, and within a few years, I became a full-time educator. I currently work at El Camino High School in the Special Education Department.

Throughout my life, I have been blessed with amazing mentors who have helped me grow in my walk with God. For over 20 years, I have worked with kids, teenagers, and young adults through my career, ministry, and volunteer work because I truly believe our youth are our future. I also believe we need strong Christian men who are willing to lead, mentor, and positively influence the next generation.

I have always taken my responsibility to youth, families, and the community seriously. I have worked in schools, ministries, juvenile services, and community programs with integrity, accountability, and a clean professional background.

Many of you may also know me through the local Black community events I have helped organize and host. Some of you have attended these events, supported them, or heard about them through the community. Over the years, I have helped organize both large and small events across three different states, often from the ground up. God has blessed me with unique skills in administration, marketing, organizing, and bringing people together for a greater purpose.

So why am I sharing all of this?

I often meet people who say they have heard about me, but many people do not really know my story. I wanted to share more about my background, my faith, my family, my work, and my heart for the community.

I also believe it is important to share the good work God has allowed me to be part of over the years. My hope is that it encourages others to keep doing God’s work, serving people, and building unity in the community.

There is a real battle happening around us, and sometimes we do not clearly see what is taking place. But I believe we are called to respond with wisdom, faith, and love. My hope is that we continue to choose unity over division, love over gossip, and encouragement over tearing one another down.

Ephesians 6:11-12 says:

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

I am sharing this because I believe people should know the heart behind the work. My desire has always been to serve God, serve people, and help build a stronger community for the next generation.

God bless,

Brandon Bornes