Terrance Dean
Photo by Michael Scott Jones
Speaker, Educator, Author, and Hip Hop Head Terrance Dean is the author of the provocative and compelling memoir, Hiding In Hip Hop…On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry from Music to Hollywood (Simon & Schuster/Atria Books June 2008).
A riveting memoir, Terrance Dean’s, Hiding In Hip Hop, uncovers a hidden and well-known unspoken secret. Deep within the confines of Hip-Hop is a prominent gay sub-culture. A world that industry insiders are keenly aware of, but choose to ignore. From the testosterone of men striving to be on top and in control, to the “by any means necessary” bravado in an industry that thrives on power, homosexuality is a reality at nearly every level of Hip-Hop. Hiding In Hip Hop is a heartfelt sojourn of a young man searching for self, love, and sexual identity in the most homophobic places – the black family, community, church, and Hip Hop. Dean takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride as he becomes romantically involved with some of Hollywood’s and Hip Hop’s elite A-listers, and into an underground world of down low brothers, sex parties, and love starved celebrities. Struggling to find a place for himself in a homophobic culture Dean’s compelling story is one of hope, love, and in spite of everything, coming to terms with one’s self and being a catalyst for change and empowerment in the game of Hip-Hop.
Dean has worked in the entertainment industry for over 10 years with heavy hitters such as Spike Lee, Rob Reiner, Keenan Ivory Wayans, and Anjelica Houston. He has worked with television and film production companies; MTV Networks, B.E.T., Savoy Television, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Sony Pictures.
He is the founder/creator of Men’s Empowerment, Inc. and co-creator of The Gathering of Men with Adeyemi Bandele. Adeyemi is the husband and spiritual partner of acclaimed teacher and best-selling author Iyanla Vanzant. Dean is the author of the best-selling book for men of color, “Reclaim Your Power! A 30-Day Guide to Hope, Healing and Inspiration for Men of Color,” (Random House/Villard May 2003).
Deans’ New York based organization, Men’s Empowerment, an organization that is dedicated to the transformation of men of color in their communities for their own self-empowerment, has been in existence for over five years and has over 300 men of color from various backgrounds involved with the organization.
Dean’s lecturing and workshops have been featured at noted institutions such as Rutgers University, Claflin University, Allen University, Voorhees College, Medgar Evars College, Long Island University, Cheyney University, Ramapo College, Brooklyn College, Kentucky State University, Barber-Scotia College, Jersey City State University, New York University, Morris Brown College, Albany State University, Drew University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Wayne State University and also at The New York City Adult Learning Center, The Hip Hop Hall of Fame, Edwin Gould Children’s Services, The Southwest Fatherhood Conference, New York Citiworks, The Learning Annex, The Children’s Village, Inwood House, The New York Prison System, Michigan Human Services Youth Detention Facility, Paul Robeson Academy, Cerveny Middle School, East Lake Baptist Church, St. John A.M.E. Church, Oakley Full Gospel Baptist Church, Clinton Memorial A.M.E. Church, Abyssinian Baptist Church and the Old English 800 Business Seminar.
Dean is a 2005 John Seigenthaler Journalism Fellow from Vanderbilt University. He is a contributing writer to the anthologies, “Souls of My Brothers” and “Always Too Soon.” He has also appeared across the country on popular syndicated radio shows and has made television appearances on NBC 10 Philadelphia, WB 11 New York, and FOX 2 in Detroit. Dean has written for The New York Sun, The Tennessean, Fatherhood Today, The Michigan Chronicle’s Front Page, Flirtingtime.com and Blackmeninamerica.com.
Contact the lecture bureau to schedule Terrance Dean for your next event.
the lecture bureau 
7 Crescent Street Cambridge, MA 02138 888-912-0355