Dr. James T. Brown (d. 2012), who is referenced in Mark Morrison-Reed’s “Darkening the Doorways: Black Trailblazers and Missed Opportunities in Unitarian Universalism,” contributed much to this church and to the denomination. During his time here, he was an usher, Board president (1969), and a delegate to the 1969 General Assembly in Boston.
In 1993, Brown was appointed district executive of the UUA’s Southwest District, becoming the first person of color and the first non-ordained minister to hold such a position. As district executive, he pursued ministries of anti-racism and anti-oppression and mentored a succession of religious leaders.
Brown had an extensive background in business administration and computer science, served as the Peace Corps country director in Sierra Leone, and held a number of professional positions, including deputy director of budgets for the DC Public Schools.
Brown received a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting and an MBA in management and economics from Wayne State, and a PhD in resource management from Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.