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Joseph S. Brown - Class of 1961

Submitted by Pauline Rute Hall 1952 <Grammypgh@aol.com> on 21/Jan/2016
100.40.153.202

    Joseph S. Brown was born on December 3, 1943 in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City to Ruby Reid and the late Austin Brown. He was raised in Newburgh New York, and he graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1961. After graduating, Joseph matriculated to Elizabeth City State University where he received his Bachelor's Degree in History, Social Science Education and English in 1966. While a student at Elizabeth City State, Joseph was initiated into the Lambda Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity on December 11, 1965. Joseph was an active member of the Theta Omicron chapter of Omega Psi Phi in Rochester, NY until his passing. After graduating from Elizabeth City State, Joseph enrolled at North Carolina University, where he received his Master's Degree in History and Education Administration 1968. Joseph began his professional career as a teacher at Newburgh Free Academy. He then went on to Harlem High School, where he spent nine years as a teacher and two as principal during the 1970s. Joseph served four years as a Director of NYC Minority Business Development and Locally Based Enterprises in the NYC Mayor's Department of Economic Development, from 1979 to 1985. He also served from 1982 to 1985 as the Assistant Commissioner for Economic Development, while simultaneously serving as the Director of NYC Minority Business Development and Locally Based Enterprises. In 1988, Joseph relocated to Rochester, NY. Between 1988 and 1992, Joseph served as Director of the Department of Affirmative Action/Human Relations for Monroe County. Between 1999 and 2004, he worked at the Eastman Kodak Company in a variety of capacities: External Workforce Development Consultant, Resolution Support Specialist and Manager of Diversity and Inclusion of Education. Joseph also served as Agency Ombudsman of the Hillside Family of Agencies between 1997 and 2014, and he served as a board member for the Hillside until he passed. He has served as a National consultant for the National Association of Minority Contractors, the Rochester Minority Business Development Center, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the National Education Association. He also served as mediator, workshop facilitator and conference presenter for the Center for Dispute Settlement from 1997 until his passing. From 2013 to 2015, he served as the Community Engagement Manager in the office of New York State Senator Ted O'Brien (55th District). At the time of his passing, he had just begun employment with the City of Rochester as an Administration Analyst in the Department of Environmental Services. In 1997, Joseph founded Jakapabran Associates, an organizational development consulting firm that focuses on workplace development issues by providing a range of services including; designing/managing organizational change initiatives, strategic planning, team building, diversity/cultural competence development, workplace conflict strategies, leadership development and executive coaching/mentoring. Joseph was well-known in the Rochester community, because of his activism and for his support for various agencies. He was an ordained minister and 20-year member of New Life Fellowship Church. He served as Vice President of the Greater Rochester Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P. from 1992 to 2004 and as President from 2004 to 2007. At the time of his passing, he was serving on the Rochester Joint Schools Construction Board, the Caring and Sharing Junior Academy Center, Inc. Board of Directors, the Lewis Street YMCA Board of Directors, and the Anthony L. Jordan Foundation Board of Directors. He was known to be generous with his time. He was a great friend, counselor, Mentor, and advocate for many people in Rochester and Monroe County. He touched many lives, both directly and indirectly, and he had a way of bringing people together. He forged many lasting friendships in Rochester, and many people loved and respected him. One of the lasting friendships Joseph formed was with NYS Assemblyman David F. Gantt. The two were like brothers, and had an unshakable bond of friendship. Joseph was also an athlete, as evidenced by his completing the New York City Marathon nine years in a row between 1977 and 1985. Joseph departed this life on Thursday, December 10, 2015. He was preceded in death by his father, Austin Brown. Joseph leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Ruby Reid; seven siblings: Carol Brown, Hyacinth Brown, Anthony Gavin, Michael McLymore, Foster Williams, Eddie Williams and Connel Williams; seven children: Pastor Jamal Brown, (Shandolyn), Kareem Brown (Gwen Malone), Paul Brown (Evander Butler), Angel Carter and Hunter Brown; special children: Tiffany and Eboni Rodgers; nine grandchildren: Dashawn Vinson, Alexcia Cooper Brown, Candace Brown, Justin Brown, Charitee Brown, Paul Brown Jr., Eden Carter, Aria Kelly, and Brian McGriff Jr.; two godchildren: Azariah McLymore and Jason Walker; and a host of nieces and nephews and family and friends. He will be missed by all who knew him. Service was held 11 a.m. Saturday, December 19, 2015 at New Life Fellowship Church, 330 Wellington Ave., Rochester, NY 14619. Bishop Reginald A. McGill was the Eulogist. Interment was held at Holy Springs, North Carolina. Local arrangement by Rhodes Funeral Home, 259 Walsh Avenue, New Windsor, NY. "Committed To Being The Very Best" Call us anytime 569-1233.

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