A beginning in storytelling
A full scholarship to the University of North Florida. An open mic initiative. A platform to turn lived experience into connection.
ROD “ODD ROD” BORISADE
A story.
A spark.
A way forward.
The Power of PerseveranceLift Our YouthLift Our MentalCommunity BuildingSpoken WordHope & ResilienceEric’s Life Inc.The Power of PerseveranceLift Our YouthLift Our MentalCommunity BuildingSpoken WordHope & ResilienceEric’s Life Inc.
01 / THE JOURNEY
From adversity.
Into possibility.
Storytelling became a way through. Now it’s a way to connect.
Rod “Odd Rod” Borisade is a perseverance speaker whose journey through adversity fuels his storytelling and performance. He found strength in his struggles, transforming experience into conversations about resilience, healing and hope.
Meet the man behind the stories ↓
THE POSSIBILITY IS SHARED.
A voice that reaches people
Spoken word performances and a multimedia message of perseverance connecting with students and audiences across the country.
Art meets advocacy
A fully funded master’s degree in Communication Studies at the University of Alabama, with roles as student, professor and mentor.
The complete journey
ONE VOICE. MANY WAYS TO CONNECT.
Engage.
Educate.
Empower.
A performer who promotes perseverance.
A speaker who builds community.
02 / LIFT OUR YOUTH
UPLIFTING STUDENT TALKSReach a mind.
Open a future.
Educating through storytelling.
Odd Rod’s multimedia presentation of hope and grit brings a journey of perseverance to middle schools, high schools and colleges. Students are encouraged to ask questions, share perspectives and build an authentic connection.
Overcoming adversityLeadershipSuicide preventionSubstance abuseCritical decision makingPerseveranceSelf-awarenessInclusivitySetting & achieving goals
Bring Odd Rod to your school ↗Engaging workshops
Thought-provoking prompts help participants reflect on past events, understand their impact and identify areas for personal growth.
Stronger student involvement
Training for staff in effective communication and promotion, helping them build communities and connect more deeply with students.
Read all education program information
03 / LIFT OUR MENTAL
Better stories.
Stronger connections.
Custom keynotes and consulting.
Messages of hope and resilience, grounded in experience. Odd Rod uses story sharing to build community, promote connection and encourage positive change in professional environments.
Community Building by Communication
How sharing our stories can encourage positive change and human connection at work.
Semicolon
A storied journey of poetry and perseverance that invites conversation about suicide prevention.
A Mind at Work
Odd Rod’s journey of emerging from childhood trauma and achieving major goals, drawing parallels with Alexander Hamilton.
Read all corporate information
04 / THE ART
Words that
stay with you.
Poetry. Performance. Perspective.
Explore the work behind the message.
01 / FOR INCLUSIVITY
Our Poem
Explore the performance ↗02 / FOR MOMHer Wish
Explore the performance ↗03 / FOR SELF-AWARENESSThe Professional
Explore the performance ↗04 / FOR SUICIDE PREVENTIONStay
Explore the performance ↗Images, impact & audience stories
Open the full video and image gallery ↗
05 / A LEGACY OF HOPE
Eric’s Life.
A lasting light.
Founded by Odd Rod in 2008 in memory of his brother Eric Harvey, who passed away at 16 from brain cancer, Eric’s Life Inc. is dedicated primarily to youth development.
Through empowering talks, uplifting connections, purposeful gatherings and charitable donations, the organization shares a message of hope and perseverance.
Support Eric’s Life ↗More about Eric’s Life Inc.
06 / THE NEXT CHAPTER
YOUR AUDIENCE. A SHARED MOMENT.