Gem City Style: Brandon Wiley of OpenedEyes

Jessica Hunter

This month, Jessica Hunter met up with Brandon Wiley, founder of the local nonprofit organization Opened Eyes, which is a therapy-based program designed originally to help struggling youth but has recently expanded to include counseling principles for adults, as well.

We met at a local coffee shop where Brandon Wiley balanced more than just conversation. With his 11-month-old baby girl in his arms and his elementary school-aged son seated beside him, he somehow managed to speak with clarity, patience, and purpose – never missing a beat. It was a fitting introduction to the founder of OpenedEyes, a nonprofit rooted in identity, empathy, and resilience. Watching him navigate fatherhood while reflecting on his organization's impact was a living example of the very values he teaches: presence, vulnerability, and connection. And while OpenedEyes may now be reaching communities across the country and beyond, it all began with a single, jarring question posed to Wiley in a sixth-grade classroom: "What are you?"

Brandon Wiley's entire professional and personal journey, he explains, has been centered on identity. The idea to write a book, a direct response to that childhood question, presented a unique opportunity to reclaim the narrative, transforming an unflattering memory into a productive and reflective pursuit. This pivotal decision, Wiley noted, "paved the way for what I'm doing now with the organization and trying to encourage other people to find their identities."

Wiley's background as a licensed mental health therapist has profoundly shaped OpenedEyes' programs. Starting in childhood and adolescent therapy, the founder quickly realized the potential of integrating counseling principles into a broader scope, impacting adults as well as youths. "Everybody goes through changes or an identity crisis at some point," he emphasizes, highlighting the universal need for self-understanding. This holistic approach was evident in a recent workshop on the stigma of mental health among adult men, a topic the founder felt deeply thankful to address. He explained that men often struggle to express emotions for fear of ostracization or emasculation. OpenedEyes, therefore, aims to reframe this narrative, demonstrating that "men can talk about their feelings too, and it's actually powerful."

Since its launch in 2014, OpenedEyes has undergone a significant evolution. Initially focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), the organization has refined its approach. While Wiley believes DEI is far from "going ghost," he recognizes the misconceptions surrounding it, particularly on a political level. OpenedEyes has strategically positioned DEI as a "subset" of overall wellness. Now, he explains, "we're going into businesses and organizations, school districts, and we're talking about how to be personally and professionally well, and within that conversation, we tie in inclusive principles." This broader scope, emphasizing mental health and wellness with inclusion as a core component, has allowed OpenedEyes to significantly expand their services.

The organization's distinctive "mindfulness-based lens on diversity" in workshops and training centers on creating a space where vulnerability is embraced. The founder, drawing on his therapeutic expertise, understands the challenge of connecting deeply with an audience in a limited timeframe. The solution: "It's about self-disclosure. It's about vulnerability. It's about being open to their story too," he explains. When the team shares real experiences, it empowers attendees, who often exclaim, "Oh, he just said that! I've even been experiencing that!" This authenticity fosters a sense of comfort that allows others to open up. The founder encapsulates this philosophy with a compelling phrase: "It's providing comfortability in uncomfortability." These conversations, Wiley acknowledges, are inherently tough, but "if we can provide some level of comfortability in that uncomfortable feeling, we're winning."

OpenedEyes' journey has been one of remarkable growth, expanding from its Erie roots partnering with diverse entities from insurance firms to school counselors. For the founder, the most standout moments are often simple yet profound: the realization that people in different parts of the country genuinely want to hear what he has to say.

One of OpenedEyes' most impactful initiatives is its youth-focused LENS program, which explores perception, prejudice, and resilience. Through assembly-style conversations, Wiley has witnessed students opening up about deeply personal and often heavy topics, including mental health issues, depression, and suicidality. Sharing his own battles with mental health often inspires kids to do the same. "We've had kids come up and say, 'I've dealt with some suicidal thoughts,'" the founder reveals, highlighting the power of breaking the stigma.

Local recognition has also played a role. Winning the 2023 Spirit of Erie Award through the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership was not about accolades for the founder, but a validation that "the work that we're doing actually matters." He quickly shares any recognition with his team, understanding that "I wouldn't be where I'm at without them." This shared success reinforces that their message is "resonating with the people of the community" and making a tangible difference.

Looking ahead, OpenedEyes has ambitious goals. Wiley envisions expanding their services and licensing their programs. A new initiative is particularly exciting: a Mental Health First Aid program designed to teach individuals how to recognize their own mental health issues, support others, and identify signs of suicidality. His ultimate vision for OpenedEyes is to take "not just a national but a global form and expand our service into all parts of the country and all parts of the world... to create environments of wellness overall."

On a personal level, OpenedEyes has been transformative for its founder. "I realized that growing up, I was always very afraid to speak out in front of people, and very insecure... I hated public speaking," he confessed, a stark contrast to his current role delivering keynote presentations across the country. "OpenedEyes has allowed me to be free and to really come into my own person." The organization, he asserts, is "in my heart forever," with the ultimate goal being its longevity beyond his leadership – a legacy that continues to impact lives. When asked about simple daily habits for mindfulness, the answer is immediate: "The gym, the gym, the gym." Wiley's 5:45 a.m. routine, involving reflection and music on the way to the gym, is "my personal time." Writing, particularly poetry, is another cherished mindfulness practice. Reflecting on that sixth-grade question, "What are you?," the founder offers profound advice to his younger self: "Buckle up for a hell of a ride, because this question may seem devastating now, but it's going to be a pathway to freedom." Wiley explains that he once viewed the question as imprisonment, but it ultimately became the catalyst for liberation.

OpenedEyes is participating in Erie Gives Day on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Consider donating at eriegives.org to help support their mission of fostering self-discovery, mental wellness, and inclusive dialogue in our community and beyond. For more info about OpenedEyes visit openedeyes.org

Gem City Style is a monthly column featuring an intimate Q&A with someone making a creative impact in Erie. If you or someone you know would make a good fit for a future Gem City Style, email jessica@eriereader.com

Photo: Jessica Hunter