The Village: My Elders and My Ancestors | Ft. Dr. Keith Dempsey

Description: Dr. Jason Branch welcomes a remarkable guest who embodies resilience, purpose, and transformative potential: Dr. Keith Dempsey, a Black male counselor and educator whose journey defies conventional expectations.  His narrative is a powerful testament to perseverance. In predominantly white academic spaces, Dempsey was often the sole Black man in his program - a solitary figure carrying the weight of representation. There were moments of profound doubt, times when giving up seemed the easiest path. But beneath a university bench, during an intense weightlifting session, he discovered an inner strength, declaring himself "too Black, too strong" to surrender.  Dr. Dempsey's story is more than a personal journey - it's a blueprint for aspiring professionals of color. It speaks to the power of faith, community support, and the courage to reimagine one's path. His message resonates: success is not about conforming to existing structures, but about creating new ones that honor one's authentic purpose.
Lifework: 

1. Radical Honesty Challenge: Spend 15 minutes in complete solitude.  Have an honest conversation with yourself and write down 3 truths you’ve been avoiding.  Identify each actionable step to address each truth.  Goal Break the cycle of self-deception and create personal accountability.  
2. Identify 3-5 people in your village who has supported your growth.  Have a conversation, write a letter or find a special way to acknowledge their contribution to your life and success.  
3. Identify an area in your life where you’ve been playing it sage.  Create small, manageable risks and challenges for yourself in those areas and track your progress. 

Connect with Our Guest:
Keith Dempsey has been an advocate in the helping profession for over 20+ years.  He has served as a therapist and clinical social worker in the Portland Community.  He has a passion for helping individuals, couples and families reach their full potential through the power of counseling.  He earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Oregon State University.  His doctoral studies focused on coping strategies for Black men. He has conducted national presentations and trainings regarding issues of diversity, racial trauma, and the plight of Black people. Dr. Dempsey is the past President of the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES). He is formerly the Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Counseling at George Fox University.  He is the first African American to receive tenure at this institution.  His volunteer work includes MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, Self Enhancement Inc., Salvation Army, Kappa League Youth Program and the Perspective Gentleman’s Program.

Website: https://keithdempseycounseling.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-keith-dempsey-counseling-and-consulting-7109052a8/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkeithdempsey/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKeithDempseyCounselingandConsulting/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrKeithDempsey

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