Dean Tolson, BS, M.Ed, NBA
There are many motivational speakers, and then there is Dean Tolson. He has been described as an articulate, charismatic, and humorous storyteller who is comfortable in front of large audiences, and at a podium in the presence of media.
Dean has achieved remarkable heights throughout a life riddled with adversity. Being born and raised at risk in the impoverished intercity environment of Kansas City, Missouri, he had to fight through multiple years as an orphan, intercity violence, taking care of his four siblings and illiteracy. His many struggles began at an early age.
Dean Tolson was one of the top prep basketball players in the state of Missouri his junior and senior years at Central High School in Kansas City. He knew basketball was his only way out of the ghetto. So, when the colleges came running, he accepted a full ride to the University of Arkansas.
Despite being illiterate, he went on to be one of the most prolific players to grace the Razorbacks’ campus. In 1974, Dean was the first basketball player to be drafted by both the NBA (National Basketball Association) and the ABA (American Basketball Association). He was selected by the Seattle Supersonics and the New York Nets, respectively.
Dean uses his public platform to pursue his mission of empowering and encouraging people to rise above their circumstances and maximize their God-given potential. He prides himself as being a veteran speaker on how to “Better Your Best and Bring Out the Best in Others”. Tolson’s life exemplifies how a person can take the failing qualities of illiteracy and turn life around to succeed as a contributing citizen. When people have experienced one of his speaking engagements, they leave inspired, energized and motivated to positively change in every aspect of their lives.
No matter the venue – addressing youth, students, student-athletes or Corporate America, his exciting speaking engagements, television appearances, seminars and events – Dean Tolson keeps it moving with high energy and enthusiasm, as he delivers valuable trade secrets on how every person can “Better Their Best and Bring Out the Best in Others”, “overcoming adversity”, and the “importance of education”.
Dean holds a BS.ed (BS of Secondary Ed) and M.ed (Masters of Ed) from the University of Arkansas, and is a member of the National Honors Society. Tolson resides in Tacoma, WA and Scottsdale, AZ. He has written a memoir about his life story.
Other Accolades:
- High School Graduation, Central High School, Kansas City, MO
- BS ed, University of Arkansas
- MS ed, University of Arkansas (magna cum laude)
- National Scholars Honor Society/Chicago, Illinois
- Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, Recognition, King 5 News
- Key to the City “Proclamation” Tacoma WA, Mayor Bill Baarsma
- Public speaking platform focused on Illiteracy 1988-present
- Illiteracy Public Speaking “Recognition,” Tacoma WA, Mayor Bill Baarsma
- Glow Carpet Glow Carpet Cleaning Company, owned & operated
- Basketball Jersey Retirement, University of Arkansas
- Establishment of the “Dean Tolson Comeback Scholarship Award,” U of A
- Missouri, First Team All State Basketball Player
- Athletic Scholarship, University of Arkansas (basketball)
- First Team All Southwest Conference University of Arkansas
- National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft, Seattle SuperSonics
- American Basketball Association (ABA) Draft, New York Nets
Dean Tolson, BS, M.Ed, NBA
There are many motivational speakers, and then there is Dean Tolson. He has been described as an articulate, charismatic, and humorous storyteller who is comfortable in front of large audiences, and at a podium in the presence of media.
Dean has achieved remarkable heights throughout a life riddled with adversity. Being born and raised at risk in the impoverished intercity environment of Kansas City, Missouri, he had to fight through multiple years as an orphan, intercity violence, taking care of his four siblings and illiteracy. His many struggles began at an early age.
Dean Tolson was one of the top prep basketball players in the state of Missouri his junior and senior years at Central High School in Kansas City. He knew basketball was his only way out of the ghetto. So, when the colleges came running, he accepted a full-ride to the University of Arkansas. Despite being illiterate, he went on to be one of the most prolific players to grace the Razorbacks’ campus. In 1974, Dean was the first basketball player to be drafted by both the NBA (National Basketball Association) and the ABA (American Basketball Association). He was selected by the Seattle Supersonics and the New York Nets, respectively.
Dean uses his public platform to pursue his mission of empowering and encouraging people to rise above their circumstances and maximize their God-given potential. He prides himself as being a veteran speaker on how to “Better Your Best and Bring Out the Best in Others”. Tolson’s life exemplifies how a person can take the failing qualities of illiteracy and turn life around to succeed as a contributing citizen. When people have experienced one of his speaking engagements, they leaved inspired, energized and motivated to positively change in every aspect of their lives.
No matter the venue – addressing youth, students, student-athletes or Corporate America, his exciting speaking engagements, television appearances, seminars and events – Dean Tolson keeps it moving with high energy and enthusiasm, as he delivers valuable trade secrets on how every person can “Better Their Best and Bring Out the Best in Others”, “overcoming adversity”, and the importance of education.
Dean is an aspiring author. He has completed his auto-biographical manuscript and is looking forward to getting the finish project on shelves near you by late 2017.
Dean holds a BS.ed (BS of Secondary Ed) and M.ed (Masters of Ed) from the University of Arkansas, and is a member of the National Honors Society. Tolson resides in Tacoma, WA and Scottsdale, AZ.