Brenda Brown

Dr. Brenda Brown was born in Flint, MI, where she attended Flint Public Schools. At the age of 11, she moved to Otisville, MI where she attended Lakeville Public Schools. She retired from Baker College after 26 years of service in 2019. She is a single mother of three and grandmother of seven. She is an identical twin and one of 10 living siblings. Brenda carries a can-do spirit as she guides and encourages others, regardless of their circumstances, to grow and learn. Though she encountered many hurdles — including chronic illnesses, racial, social, and economic — she persevered, earning an associate, bachelor's, master's, and then doctoral degree. Though she is not one for confrontation: She is a fighter. In August 2016, she fought her way back — surviving Sudden Cardiac Arrest and is a strong voice to educate others about the medical condition. Brenda believes that giving back is vital to promoting community. Her current volunteer efforts include Co-Chair of the GISD Parent Advisory Council, Member of GISD Parent Café, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Dinner Planning Committee. Her Past volunteer efforts included Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint (BB/BS), the Beecher Scholarship Incentive Program, the Genesee County Reaching Across the Nation Consortium, Department of Human Services Michigan Youth Opportunity Initiatives, the Gateway Cultivating Our Community garden project, and the United Way. Perhaps most notable, for over 30 years, Brenda has served as a mentor for BB/BS. She also mentored for Living Independently Networking Knowledge (L.I.N.K.), volunteered as the coordinator for her church's weekly A Taste of Tutoring program, and served as the Amachi liaison between BB/BS and her church. She has been a past mentor for West Bendle and Garfield Elementary Schools' Help One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) programs (6 years), an advisor to the Baker College Tutoring Association's tutoring programs for Flint Community Schools and Bendle Public Schools (15 years), and a former cochair of Flint Area Citizens to End Racism Youth Action Team and Steering Committee (5 years). She has served as facilitator of the Great Lakes District Youth Leadership (1 year) and board member of Flint Leadership Development in Interethnic Relations (2 years). She also served as a member of the Flint Area Public Affairs Forum. In all her community service, Brenda brings courage, commitment, compassion, and understanding that have continued to grow from her early childhood experiences as being part of the only minority family in a small, rural community. Befriended by one White, female classmate, following high school graduation, Brenda was determined to similarly become a champion for social justice. Her faith serves as a strong foundation. She is an active member of Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church, where she is a Sunday school teacher and serves in multiple ministries. Benda’s mantra is a Nelson Mandela quote: "An education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." During moments of deep discouragement, she turns to God’s Word, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6; and Joshua 1:9) Brenda lives, works, and volunteers - demonstrating the essence of Luke 12:48 (KJV), "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

Readers can connect with her at:

Twitter and Instagram @bbrown9836