In the era where social media reigns supreme, Brandon Lee Buckley, known to many as B.Lee, has positioned himself as one of Indianapolis’ most influential power players. As the CEO of Melanin House Brands, B.Lee has spent over a decade laying the groundwork to uplift local creators and shape the city’s cultural identity. Recently, he shared his inspiring journey on the podcast “Conversation Piece.”
B.Lee’s entrepreneurial vision was forged early on. From hosting his first wildly successful event as a college freshman to now managing an influencer collective boasting millions of followers, his path has been nothing short of impressive. Inspired by his father’s business promoting hair care products to iconic acts like James Brown, he witnessed firsthand the power of aligning with entertainment.
“Even in middle school, I was networking and connecting with different people,” B.Lee revealed on the podcast. “I always talked about being around entertainment, managing, music – I just wanted to do that.”
His first viral breakthrough came in 2020 during the pandemic. Creating dance videos and humorous skits on TikTok, B.Lee attracted a massive following that he skillfully leveraged into the Melanin House brand and influencer collective. As his star continued to rise, he persistently encouraged his clients to think beyond social media fame.
“You don’t own TikTok, Instagram, any of these apps,” he cautions. “I want my clients to be in movies, TV shows – build a brand beyond the platform.”
Now, B.Lee is focused on elevating Indianapolis’ voice and exporting local talent to the world. He mentors youth through his Be Legendary non-profit, preaching an intense “1%” mindset.
“Being focused, driven, no distractions – that’s how you get to the LeBron, Jay-Z level. I try to tell young people – if this is what you’re made for, go get it.”
As B.Lee proves, achieving that rarefied air starts by putting in the work at home first. By uplifting his community, he’s ensuring Indianapolis’ cultural influence extends far beyond its city limits.
Through his relentless drive and vision, B.Lee is not just building a brand; he’s spearheading a cultural movement that promises to put Indianapolis on the map in a significant way. For those aged 21-35, his journey offers both inspiration and a blueprint for leveraging digital platforms to create lasting, real-world impact.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pebrpk28fR8?si=WJYnRule6jzSUIv0
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversation-piece-with-patrick-armstrong/id1647441059?i=1000657763402
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zxgtJP8c3W0rBaLflFUW1?si=tVMl-g6aQlqptVvhulR0jg
Visit our website: https://www.conversationpiecepod.com/ep-88-b-lee
