In 2016, Brandon stood at a crossroads. Working at McDonald’s gave him a paycheck, but not a purpose. Deep down, he knew he had more to give—talents and drive waiting to be used in meaningful ways.
Staff at the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities told Brandon about an opening at Sunshine Communities. He took a chance, started a janitorial role in December 2017, and quickly became part of the Sunshine family.
Brandon soon proved himself—respectful, hardworking, and detail-oriented. His artistic breakthrough came when someone noticed his passion for drawing and asked him to design Sunshine’s Earth Day T-shirt. “It went straight from me onto this T-shirt worn by hundreds of staff,” Brandon recalls. “It was nature, and it was connection.” Seeing his work celebrated lit a spark.
Once they saw his talent, Sunshine invited Brandon to step into an artist role at Sunshine Studios—and there, he found his niche. “Painting-wise, I’ve definitely gotten better,” he says. “It’s all about catching a spot before it goes in the kiln.” His attention to detail shows in every piece—from painted flowers to custom jerseys inspired by his lifelong love of sports.
Sports have always been part of Brandon’s story. Growing up with his grandparents, his favorite memories are of watching football with his grandfather. “It was always Central Catholic High School football games—talking about the game and about life. I always wondered if my grandpa played football,” he says. “Sure enough, I found his name—Waite High School—in an old yearbook. The photo didn’t list his jersey number, but I’d love to find that jersey someday. It would be an honor to wear it, even just once.”
Football gave Brandon more than connection—it taught him discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Today, he carries those lessons into everything he does. When he designs jerseys at home, he leans into color combinations, logos, and design elements to create unique, eye-catching pieces. He channels that same focus and energy while cheering for the Detroit Lions or serving as “Coach B” with the St. Francis de Sales School varsity basketball team, where he helps keep players organized and game-ready.
Even though his grandparents have passed, their legacy lives on through him. “My grandparents really shaped me,” Brandon says. “They took care of me since I was born. Spending time with them was everything.
Brandon’s journey is about more than art or sports—it’s about weaving those passions into a story of legacy and love. Every brushstroke, every jersey design, every moment on the court honors where he came from and carries forward the lessons of two people who believed in him first.