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Dr. Renee Brown

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Alumni Perspective: Dr. Reneé Brown on importance of Black History Month

Alumni Perspective: Reneé Brown ('12 & '14)
Importance of Black History Month
 
The first thing that came to my mind when reflecting and talking with my mother about this question was the quote from the late great Dr. Maya Angelou, who was an educator for the African American people, "I am the dream and the hope of the slave." While I do not list all my accomplishments, I do believe that the support and love of my family and mentors along the way has helped me to meet, exceed any expectations, and break boundaries which allowed me to be who I am today despite the numerous obstacles I have faced (and am currently facing) in my life.
 
Black history month is extremely important for people of color to celebrate because the sole purpose behind that history is a painful reminder of the dark and horrific struggles people of color had to endure which affected people like my family, especially my parents (my mother Author Reneé Drummond-Brown and father, Master Sergeant Cardell Nino Brown Sr.) and grandparents (Peter C. Drummond, and the late Barbara-Ann Drummond). For example, the Brown v. Board of Education ruling was a landmark 1954 case in which racial segregation for black children was proven to be unconstitutional. Our newly-elected Vice President Kamala Harris was even quoted as saying "Brown v. Board is personal to me. My class was only the second after busing integrated Berkeley Public Schools. Without this decision, I likely wouldn't be a U.S. Senator. We must combat the racial inequalities that still exist in our schools." Both of my parents were born after that timeframe and can remember experiencing unfair treatment in school as a black child growing up as well.
 
Renee Brown

 
As I reflect on growing up in an African American household, I didn't understand until I became an adult why my mother was so adamant about a college education for our entire family. Little did I know my mother was on a mission to break a cycle of illiteracy that was passed down from one generation to the next. For instance, my grandfather, Peter C. Drummond, only completed the 7th grade. Nonetheless, our family is so elated that he went on to serve honorably and proudly for 30 years in the United States Marine Corps and retired as a Gunnery Sgt for this great country. My grandfather's service included two back-to-back tours in Vietnam, 1966 through 1967, and again, 1969 through 1970, receiving several medals, awards, and decorations. My grandfather fought hard on foreign soil to protect the freedom, rights, and liberty for all Americans because it is his core belief that freedom is not free. He also served an additional 30 years for the City of Pittsburgh Police Department honorably, and proudly wearing badge no. 130. My father was not limited to receiving several medals, honors, awards, and decorations before retiring Master Patrolman, under the code of blue.
 
Also, both of my parents served and retired from the City of Pittsburgh Police Department as Master Patrolman. My dad also retired from the United States Air Force, 171 Air Refueling Wing Security Forces as a Master Sergeant.
 
Although my mother was extremely proud of our family's service to the country, she felt the need to push each and every family member through college to obtain our degree before she returned back to school in 2012.
 
The process started with my father, who received a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College, 2007. That set the precedent for our entire family.
 
My mother received a MA Degree from Chatham University in 2019, an Honorary Doctorate from Global Oved Dei Seminary and University in 2020, and has authored over 30 books to date. The International Ambassador of Peace by the World Literary Forum for Peace and Human Rights (WLFPH) awarded Author Reneé Drummond-Brown in 2021, the humanitarian award in creating awareness to promote global, economic, and political stability through the promotion of universal values, tolerance education, interfaith harmony education, and the establishment of a culture of peace and safety in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) and WLFPH Goals.
 
Renee Brown and Sibs


My brother, Cardell Brown Jr., received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications from Delaware State University, 2008.
 
I received my Bachelor of Science degree (Health and Physical Education) and Master of Educational Leadership at Edinboro University. With the continued guidance, love, and support from my family – especially my mother and grandmother, I was blessed with the opportunity to pursue my doctorate at West Virginia University between the years of 2014-2017. I am proud to say that I completed and received my Doctorate in Coaching and Teaching Studies in May of 2017.
 
Renee Brown

 
My younger sister, Raven Brown: received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Edinboro University as well in 2016.
 
Raven Brown
Pictured: Raven Brown
 
Whenever I reflect on the importance of education, I can't help but think of The United Negro College Fund who is coined for this famous quote "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," and over the years I have come to learn that education is one of the most significant contributions that my mother could have sacrificed for our entire family. Her sacrifice for education and my willingness to ride the shoulders of giants before me landed me right where I needed to be, proving that literacy is a functional and necessary part of life. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to follow my families' tradition in serving.
 
-Reneé
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