# Why Belief Is the Greatest Investment | Brian Moreland | TEDxBoston Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As5qeHJbsUM Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/As5qeHJbsUM Generated: 2026-01-28T16:34:45.614+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Brian Moreland argues that the greatest investment is belief in oneself and others, exemplified by his career trajectory in theater production, which began when his teacher, Mrs. Allen, introduced him to theater, and was solidified when director Kenny Leon offered him a fellowship for "Thoughts of a Colored Man," proving that investing belief yields incredible returns, particularly in non-profit ventures and the arts. **Key Points:** - Moreland attributes his entry into theater production to his third-grade teacher, Mrs. Allen, who introduced him to the art form and helped him make costumes for a play. - His career breakthrough came when director Kenny Leon called him about producing "Thoughts of a Colored Man," giving him a fellowship for that specific show. - Moreland defines investment as either expected return (conditional) or unconditional investment, where the return is simply the act of investing belief in someone or something. - He emphasizes that unconditional investment (time, mentorship, inspiration) should be given without expectation of financial return, citing his mother and Mrs. Allen as examples. - The production of "Thoughts of a Colored Man" became the number one revival in Broadway history, demonstrating the immense return on the unconditional investment in that story. - He advises young people in the arts to find someone to invest in unconditionally, asking them to invest in themselves or others without expecting a financial return. ![Screenshot at 0:04: Valerie Mosley introduces Brian Moreland and sets the stage for discussing his accomplishments as a producer on Broadway.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/As5qeHJbsUM/00-00-04.jpg) **Context:** Brian Moreland discusses his philosophy on investment, contrasting conditional financial returns with the concept of unconditional investment, which he frames as investing belief, time, and mentorship into people or causes aligned with passion. He uses his personal journey in theater production, starting from early encouragement from his third-grade teacher, Mrs. Allen, and culminating in producing the highly successful Broadway show "Thoughts of a Colored Man," as evidence that belief is the most powerful form of investment. ## Detailed Analysis Brian Moreland explains that the greatest investment is belief, which he illustrates through his career path. His initial entry into theater was due to his third-grade teacher, Mrs. Allen (0:04, 3:05), who not only introduced him to theater but also asked him to make costumes for a play. This early support led to him attending boarding arts school in New York. The pivotal moment in his career came via a phone call from director Kenny Leon, who offered him a fellowship to produce "Thoughts of a Colored Man" (0:43, 4:42). Moreland contrasts two types of investment: conditional investment, where one expects a specific financial outcome (like stock performance), and unconditional investment (2:33), which involves investing time, mentorship, or inspiration without expecting a guaranteed return (2:48). He credits his mother and Mrs. Allen for the unconditional investment they made in him (3:00, 3:51). The show he produced, "Thoughts of a Colored Man," directed by Kenny Leon and starring Taraji P. Henson, Cedric the Entertainer, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson, became the number one revival in Broadway history (5:11, 5:16), proving the massive return on that initial unconditional belief. He concludes by advising young people in the arts to identify someone they believe in—themselves or someone else—and invest in them without conditions, emphasizing that aligning actions with passion yields incredible, tangible results (6:07, 8:32). ### Early Career Influences - Brian Moreland credits third-grade teacher Mrs. Allen for introducing him to theater and making costumes for a play - He attended boarding arts school in the East after high school. ### The Pivotal Opportunity - Director Kenny Leon called Moreland about producing "Thoughts of a Colored Man" and offered him a fellowship for the show - This show became the number one revival in Broadway history (5:16). ### The Philosophy of Investment - Moreland distinguishes between conditional investment (expecting a financial return) and unconditional investment (investing belief, time, mentorship without expectation) - He cites his mother and Mrs. Allen as examples of unconditional investors in him. ### Advice for Young Artists - He encourages young artists to find someone (themselves or others) to invest in unconditionally, as aligning actions with passion yields incredible results, even if the path is not always easy (8:44). ![Screenshot at 0:04: Opening title card for "Ideas in Action Presents TEDxBoston" introducing the speakers.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/As5qeHJbsUM/00-00-04.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:06: Brian Moreland and Valerie Mosley seated for an interview against a wood-paneled background.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/As5qeHJbsUM/00-00-06.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:24: Audience applause after Valerie Mosley introduces Brian Moreland's Broadway accomplishment.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/As5qeHJbsUM/00-00-24.jpg) ![Screenshot at 1:13: Brian Moreland detailing the success of "Thoughts of a Colored Man" on Broadway.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/As5qeHJbsUM/00-01-13.jpg) ![Screenshot at 2:21: Valerie Mosley reinforcing Moreland's point about unconditional returns with applause.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/As5qeHJbsUM/00-02-21.jpg)