Elijah Coles-Brown is a young man who has something to say and when he opens his mouth, he says it well.

Even at the tender age of 11, the Henrico County resident is gaining a reputation as a dynamic motivational speaker.

The Moody Middle School sixth-grader was awarded the Great Expectations Youth Award earlier this month by the Richmond Branch NAACP at its annual Freedom Fund Awards Gala.

To make the event even more exciting for the young man and his family was his inclusion in the program. He was asked to introduce the event’s keynote speaker, the Rev. William J. Barber II.

Dr. Barber and the nearly 300 attendees sat in awe as the small-framed, pre-teen’s voice flowed across the podium and filled the room with a confidence and maturity that belied his young years.

Dr. Barber, who is president of the North Carolina NAACP, was so taken by the introduction that he invited Elijah back to the stage for personal recognition and to exchange contact information.

“I will take one of your business cards and you take one of mine. We have to get together,” Dr. Barber expressed to the amusement of the audience.

Elijah’s speaking typically is met with an enthusiastic response. He has been involved in public speaking since the second grade and suggests that public speaking is in his DNA.

“Growing up, I was influenced by my uncles who are ministers, Rev. Paul Coles, Rev. Reuben Coles, Rev. Michael Felton and, of course my pastor, Rev. Morris Henderson” of Thirty-first Street Baptist Church, he says.

But Elijah doesn’t lean totally on genetics. He is dedicated to studying the craft of good speech writing and delivery. “Doing the research to authenticate the content is necessary to make a good speech,” he explains.

Once the research is complete, he then moves to the area of the process where he excels most — relaying the facts in an entertaining way.

“A good speaker will make sure that they always know their topic … and allow (their) personality to shine through.” But as exceptional as his speaking gift is, public speaking is not his final career destination.

Elijah is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program and is reading and performing math on a 10th-grade level. It is his mathematical talent that is guiding his future dreams.

Elijah plans to study advanced math and physical science in his pursuit of becoming a mechanical engineer — specializing in roller coaster design.

“I want to design the tallest and largest roller coaster in the world, while maintaining the safety and enjoyment of its passengers,” he says.

But even when he has transitioned into the world of math and science, he still wants to incorporate his verbal gifts to inspire.

“I feel that I have a gift to share,” he says. “God has given me a special gift to memorize, interpret and convey relevant information to my audiences. I desire to motivate, inspire and be a role model for other young African-American males to help them make their dreams come to fruition.”

Let’s meet this week’s young Personality, Elijah Coles-Brown.

Date and place of birth: Feb. 10 in Norfolk.

Current place of residence: Henrico County.

Family: My mom, Brenda Coles, who is the foundation and guiding force in my life. My father is Joseph Brown. My brother, Larry Robinson, has served two tours of duty in Iraq and is presently enrolled at Norfolk State University studying business administration.

Best subject: Math.

Extracurricular activities: I am a member of Boy Scout Troop 414. I am the president of the local Nubian Village Academy chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. I am an active member of Thirty-first Street Baptist Church, where I participate in the media ministry and the youth usher board. And I am a local actor with several stage credits under my belt. Currently, I am working on the upcoming film, “Loving,” and in the past, I have performed as Frederick Douglass in the “Abolitionists’ Museum,” as well as, “Vivacious” and “Say It Loud, I’m Black And I’m Proud: The Spirit and Soul of James Brown.”

When I got interested in public speaking: I was encouraged by my second- and third-grade teacher, Ms. Amy Wells, while at Twin Hickory Elementary school. She encouraged me to speak on topics that were sensitive for kids. Public speaking became the norm in my class on a weekly basis and I became comfortable with speaking.

First time I remember speaking in front of an audience: My speaking debut was at my church, when I dramatized Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

My public speaking mentors are: Professor L. Roe Boyd III, public speaking professor at Virginia State University and Virginia Union University and Ms. Yamaha Jubilee. Another speaking mentor of mine is, of course, my mother, who is my biggest supporter.

My mentors assist me by: Coaching and critiquing my stage presence, performance techniques and how to express the written word with eloquence and grace.

Key to becoming a good speaker: A good speaker knows how to grab the audience’s attention and maintain that attention. One must also know how to adapt to their audience. A good speaker knows how to give an impromptu speech. A good speaker knows how to pick up on the audience’s feedback.

What makes a good speech: Grab the audience’s attention at the beginning and maintaining that attention. Providing thought-provoking and stimulating facts while entertaining the audience at the same time.

How to overcome stage fright: Breathe. Going through breathing exercises, I understand the importance of breath and using the energy of fear to my advantage by transforming it into positive energy that I can project to the audience.

Community service I perform: The phone bank for President Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns. With Boy Scout Troop 414, I participated in giving away food baskets in Church Hill, as well as the neighborhood cleanup and Christmas gift delivery for transitional housing occupants.

In 2014, my company, Dreamer’s Imagine, decided that, instead of giving away candy for Halloween, we would create and participate in “Book or Treat.” I also participated in the Black Lives Matter march, VEA/NEA march and the 50th Anniversary March of the March on Washington.

Best late-night snack: Yogurt.

The person who influenced me the most: My beautiful, awesome and wisdom-filled mother, Brenda Coles.

The book that influenced me the most: “Frederick Douglass: Selected Speeches and Writings,” edited by Philip S. Foner.

Next goal: I want to meet President Obama. I would tell President Obama that he has been an inspiration to me and a role model who has allowed me to believe that nothing is impossible when you read, dream and imagine.