Today we’d like to introduce you to Andre M. Brown
Hi Andre, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Rocky Mount, NC, but much like native son jazz legend Thelonious Monk, I didn’t stay there for long. Instead of the segregated Jim Crow south reality of ‘whites-only’ and tobacco fields experienced by my teenaged African American parents, my childhood was rich in the cultural tapestry of military bases around the world. This molded me. Not only did it teach me how to adapt well to change, but I learned how to get along and appreciate the differences of an incredibly diverse group of people from all over the world. This constant quest to experience and celebrate diversity is how I ended up in this amazing melting pot of Miami in 2019, which became the launching pad for my anti-racism movement Racial Just Us in 2020.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The major obstacles in my life, like, for instance, starting a new business venture, in a new city, during a global pandemic, have often seemed insurmountable on their outset. But in hindsight, I have been able to see these challenges for not only their incredible growth potential, but as that necessary pivot, I may not have immediately chosen for myself. Looking back has also given me the wisdom, faith, and understanding that no matter how soul-crushing the set-back, everything can and will work out in time. There are no defeats—just life lessons. Flunking out of my first major in college, industrial technology, with most of the coursework finished, eventually channeled my passions towards the fine art photography I continue to produce as @TheFunkyPhotog. Becoming incredibly disillusioned by the traditionally celebrated corporate professional track helped me enroll in the certified professional coaching program at the University of Miami and become an ICF certified professional coach. Having my first job prospect fall through upon moving to Miami, followed by the arrival of COVID-19, gave me an unexpected opportunity to really create meaningful work for myself that feels like a calling.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Racial Just Us?
I created Racial Just Us, an anti-racism movement, in the wake of the tragedies of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. While I watched these senseless crimes with a mix of anger, sadness, frustration, and sometimes resignation, I was also heartened by the mobilization of people from all backgrounds during the Black Lives Matter protests. I wanted to build something to channel that collective energy of a diverse group of people who wanted to help, even after the marches were over. Coaching for Community, the first Racial Just Us offering, was created specifically to answer the question: What Can I Do Next? I developed this one-of-a-kind virtual hybrid group coaching and training program by blending my unique professional background as an ICF certified coach and racial bias trainer, together with my life experience as an African American man comfortable working with all racial and ethnic groups. In addition to uncovering the roles implicit bias and white privilege play in race relations and racial justice, the revolutionary power of Coaching for Community comes from helping participants target individual areas of anti-racism meaningful to them. At the end of four weeks, each participant will emerge with a completed action plan to help guide anti-racism efforts in their personal lives and communities. This intensive process, along with a private coaching session in week five, will help ensure success long term. The next series are scheduled to start January 16th, 27th and February 6th, 2021, and are currently open for enrollment on my website. New dates are regularly added. Doing this work is very important for me to create an empowering atmosphere free of shame. While calling out our personal stereotypes can come with growing pains, it is also incredibly brave. I intend to maintain a safe and supportive environment to honor the differences of participants, so they can most efficiently transform. People who are willing to give of themselves to affect change in this way are truly special. I am impassioned about facilitating these conversations while respecting each individual’s experience.
How do you define success?
Success, to me, is marked by my impact in helping to make the world a better place. For my entire professional career, what I have enjoyed most is helping people to empower themselves by unlocking their own inner personal power. This singular process is transformative gold. These small individual actions, while many times viewed as trivial or insignificant, quickly add up for a collective, more powerful, greater good. My intention for Racial Just Us is to help create a like-minded community of anti-racism leaders ready to spark incredible widespread and long overdue racial change. We all deserve this.
Contact Info:
- Email: coach@jumpstreetcoaching.com
- Website: https://www.racialjustus.com/
- Instagram: @racialjustus
Image Credits
Family photos supplied by Andre M. Brown Photo of I AM A MAN mural (Artist: Carl Juste) taken by Andre M. Brown Photo of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd mural (Artist: Kyle Holbrook) taken by Andre M. Brown Photos of Andre M. Brown (full body, headshot ) taken by Dawn Keable
