Lessons from Changemakers - Douglass House
                     Lessons from Changemakers: 
Douglass House
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Brooks Douglass has overcome immense challenges throughout his life and has 
reaped great success as a result. Douglass has a long list of accolades. Kicking off his 
professional career as a lawyer, transitioning to the youngest senator to ever be 
elected in Oklahoma, and eventually ending up as an actor and a producer. His 
non profit organization, Douglass House, might just prove as the focal point of a 
strong and inspiring lesson from this changemaker.
Passion Can Be Fueled By Anything… Even Tragedy
Saying Douglass has had to overcome multiple tragedies throughout his life is an 
understatement. When he was 16, two men broke into his home, tied him and his 
family up, sexually assaulted his 12-year-old sister, and shot his parents in the back. 
Douglass and his sister were both shot as well but managed to survive. 
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With incredible courage and strength, Douglass used this experience as fuel for his 
mission, a mission where he would make sure that no person that is a victim of a 
crime would feel helpless the way he did. And so Douglass House was born, a 
nonprofit organization that gives crime victims the resources they need to recover.
“They come to our website and they can find resources, locally, for them. Whether 
they need to know where to go for victim compensation funds, for example. Which is 
help with funeral expenses, medical expenses that’s provided through the 
government.“
Where he could have used this tragedy as a reason to shut the window of life, 
Douglass used his experience as motivation to help others overcome the same 
unfortunate circumstances which he experienced.
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Having A Strong Belief System Is Essential To Success
Douglass exclaimed the need for a belief system when asked if having one helps 
people succeed. “I do think it’s most important when times are hard. If you don’t 
believe there is a higher purpose or you were created for a purpose, then what’s the 
use?”
Your belief system does not necessarily need to include a God, but it should include 
morals and values that you hold dear. This helps drive people with something other 
than the possibility of accruing more wealth. We see an irrefutably inspiring example 
of this when Douglass comes face to face with one of the men who broke into his 
home and changed his entire life. 
Douglass forgave the man after he apologized for what he did to him and his family. 
His explanation behind accepting the apology was that his late father believed 
strongly in forgiveness.
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He described the feeling that had overtaken his body afterward, feeling as if poison 
was flowing out of his body and onto the floor. Who knows how Douglass may have 
turned out if he held onto that poison. His belief system told him to let go and forgive. 
Even though it must have been impossibly difficult, it freed Douglass of any ill 
feelings he held inside.
The Importance of Family Outweighs Societal Success
Brooks Douglass is a successful man, be it in politics or the film industry. However, 
when asked the question about whether or not he would leave this world happy if he 
were to do so today, his resounding no in response was certainly shocking. What has 
he left undone? He revealed that most of his unfinished work is in spending time with 
his family.
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“Enjoying my kids… My parents died just after my 16th birthday. I don't think I 
appreciated how much that I relied on being able to go and ask mom or dad for 
advice… Even when you’re at college and they have parent’s day or family day, I didn’t 
have anyone to show up on those days… I would never want my kids to go through 
that.” -Brooks Douglass
Douglass made it evident that he cares little for societal success anymore. What 
matters is being there for his family. He wants to watch his kids grow up and give 
them the opportunities and advice he was never able to get. 
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You would imagine someone of Douglass’ caliber being content with life and the 
impact he has made, but this proves how insignificant professional accolades can be 
when compared to success as a parent and a friend. Professional success is important, 
but always keep your family in mind, because you never know for how long you will 
have the privilege of enjoying their time.
This episode was inspiring and educational to say the least. Douglass has hurdled 
obstacle after obstacle through his life and has proven to be a true changemaker. Visit 
Douglass House if you would like to donate and help him to give victims the support 
they need and the rights they deserve.
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