For the Sake of Aaron: Celebrating Our Black Men |
"Men for All Seasons" by Charles Bibbs
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James and Carl Brown
Carl (left) and James Brown
by Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo
Ask Brown: One of the United Parcel Service (UPS) national commercials depicts multiple tasks that must be performed and the television viewer is told to "Ask Brown." Of course, Brown always has the answer.
We turned to Mr. Brown, James Brown that is! Mr. Brown, now 13 years retired, managed four centers for UPS-Wisconsin. Would he not be the man to go to for answers?
We learned the commercial has significance, much truth. James Brown had 28 years with UPS and his devotion to doing a "great" job was unequivocal. Well, could those qualities transfer to his son?
My presumptions were perfectly accurate; the commercial’s relevance to Milwaukee will follow in our reveal.
For the Brown’s, father and son, are laudable examples of getting the job done, with a "Ask Brown" performance accuracy that makes Milwaukee proud.
Born in Jackson, Tennessee, James Brown came to Milwaukee in 1961. He had married his childhood sweetheart in 1960, after serving four years in the United States Air Force.
Blessed with their first child, they were examining cities in which to raise their children, a good place for a young, growth-driven, family. Better employment opportunities was a priority as they began to consider cities further North.
Mrs. Brown had come to Milwaukee, earlier, to visit her father, she liked the city. A couple of years later, her brother and Mr. Brown’s uncle told them American Motors, in Kenosha, was hiring new workers. So the young family hit Highway 45, straight from Jackson, through Chicago, and on into Wisconsin.
"I first worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital, said Mr. Brown, where I took courses for promotions that would give me higher pay. But they froze the promotions, so I had to look for another job. Sealtest Ice Cream, at Holton and Capital Drive, was hiring for different shifts, so I applied. They hired me. For two weeks, I worked at the VA, first shift and Sealtest Ice Cream, the second shift, from 3:30 p.m. until Midnight, so I could give the VA an appropriate two-week notice."
"The Sealtest job was seasonal. Of course, Milwaukee’s winters are so cold; they laid many of us off in October, each year. By then, we had three children," Daddy Brown, continued. "I saw an ad for temporary driver at United Parcel Service, during the Christmas holiday rush, so I took that job on November 22, 1965. Being a temporary position, they laid us off on December 31," he declares with total recall.
"Then UPS called me back, on February l, 1966. After working there for one week, Sealtest also called me back. I had to make a decision! I prayed! When I called my supervisor at UPS, he told me if he did not think I would make it as a driver, he would not have called me back. I decided on United Parcel Service, and was with them for 28 years." Mr. Brown became the first Black supervisor and the first Black manager in UPS-Wisconsin. While Sealtest Ice Cream closed their doors in the mid to late 1960s.
"The ’60s were turbulent times, particularly for minorities. There were those who felt that we could not be trusted. There were also those who just did not want us there and made it difficult for us. It was only by the grace of God that I was able to endure that. It was not just for me that I had to endure, but for those that would come after me as well. I believe for that reason, God had placed me there at that time." he shared.
"I was blessed to be promoted in the UPS company, throughout those years, and I was the first African American management person to retire from UPS in Wisconsin at the end of 1993. Because people at UPS knew what I was about, several came to my church to present me with a plaque during Sunday morning service." Mr. Brown retired as one of the highest ranking African American supervisors, in the Wisconsin UPS family, and one of the longest in seniority, as well.
As father of the Brown clan, what are some of the values you instilled was an automatic question, before speaking to his son. "We tried to instill the importance of church, teaching them honesty, respect, getting an education, he remarked, With three boys and one girl, who bosses everybody," he chuckles, "we taught them the importance of individuality, respecting their individual talents and yet understanding the value of the unit."
Carl Brown, son, quickly affirms, "We were never pushed, we were encouraged to be good people, to earn a honest living, to examine options. We saw ‘hard work’ from both of our parents. Sometimes my Dad would be gone when we got up and not home yet when we went to sleep, but Mother was always there. She worked, cooked, did hair, in our basement. Our parents helped us to see that work was a natural part of living and that doing it together was what made us family."
Carl Brown, entrepreneur, owner of Red Brown Kle’, the full service marketing and communications agency, said, "Our parents helped us in so many ways. We are blessed. Even today, my Dad will help. When we started the business, they helped! They have been unwavering," he said with admiration.
He admits that he did not understand their struggle, as a kid. Only as an adult has he begun to identify with the persistence, perseverance and dedication it took, all qualities he now fosters, in his own business. Getting the job done! And, not just done, but done right are mandates of professionalism, as Carl performs in his business, today.
"We had a very happy home, one where both of our parents were involved in our lives. We now know that God has been good, to us as a family, and we have come to know what it means to hang on a little longer. But our greatest lesson has been to make a life of which we each can be proud. One that is honest, so we don’t have to bow our heads down. We know that we have given our best and can stand firm in our efforts," with confidence, Carl states.
Carl’s business philosophy entails not making decisions for the short-term, nor seeking something just to get over. He demonstrates, daily, the values his parents set forth, honoring just what they taught and what they continue to represent. "I have come to know that what we experienced is not necessarily the norm," said Carl. "As a child, you take a lot of things for granted. Things like faith are now real! I often say: ‘faith does not become real until it is real for you!’ Life brings the challenges that test not only your faith, but how you are going to respond, if you are faith-based."
Carl says his parents believed that bringing them to church would one day have significance, in "God’s appointed time." And like his parents, he says "I don’t believe I have to force it down somebody’s throat. The way that I walk the walk will do the talking for me! As their actions were the guide rule by which we scrutinized them. There was no need to rebel, because their actions spoke louder than any of their words would have been able to do!"
Red Brown Kle’ Marketing and Communications began in 2000. The new Millennium held the perfect storm of events to make Carl think about something different. "I was working at a healthcare agency, about three or four years, with their major clients’ projects. Soon, they began to talk about fiduciary challenges, so a few of my colleagues began to talk about purchasing the agency. With a little more thought, however, I said, why purchase something that already has some negative imagery. Why not start fresh, create our own image. We finally decided to do it alone, myself, my colleagues and alone, myself. They have been steadfast, through thick and thin, and they continue to see and support the benefits of ‘doing your own thing,’" he shared.
Red Brown Kle’ has retained a good marketing philosophy. "Namely, we believe good marketing, by good professionals, entails creating for anyone. As a result, our business is very diversified. And, we have the added benefit of multitalented, multicultural professionals with years of experience, locally, regionally and nationally," said Carl.
One of Carl’s first marketing experiences was at Leo Burnett Agency, in Chicago, one of the largest advertising agencies in the nation. He was one of only a couple of African American employees, working on accounts throughout the country. He left there when he saw the proverbial glass ceiling that lacked the growth potential needed to keep the creative juices sharp, magnetic and dynamic.
"Here, we do not box ourselves in," he said. "We do the whole spectrum of accounts within the state and beyond. We have been methodical and deliberate in our growth as we have worked with clients like Harley Davidson, Manpower, Milwaukee Western Bank, Miller Brewing Company, Abbott Labs, and WHEDA. And, others are on the 2007 roster!"
The entrepreneurial spirit is evident in both Brown’s as we begin to close the interview session. Dad said, "Tell the young men, the subject of this yearlong focus: ‘For the Sake of Aaron,’ to understand they will be tested. So often I was tested, he repeats, but I understood what I was trying to accomplish, and I never let the situation preempt good judgment and what I needed to finish, that minute, and where I needed to go, or be, in the next minutes that would follow. They must be willing to come through the tests. Life is going to be filled with many tests, but they can pass them, surpass them, and reach their goals."
The Brown children were given the same advice. All are gainfully and professionally employed, with spouses and children. "I am a happy father, husband and grandfather," Mr. Brown, boasted.
"Tell them to be strong! Be Christian! Consider others! Listen to people who are trying to guide them in the right direction. And most of all," he said, "Keep God in your life, permit Him to guide you." Sage wisdom from a successful example of manhood, James Brown.
His son, Carl Brown, quickly added, "Young Black children must recognize that life can be an open book. There are so many options that were not available to my Dad, nor even me. Sometimes, they see sports or entertainment as the only ways to succeed, yet there are innumerable possibilities. They have to dream, work, persevere, and create bigger dreams.
"I had big dreams as a young man. I dreamed I would work in New York City. I believed I would own my own agency. I sought people to help me actualize my dreams. Their support, my hard work, and my belief that I could do it, have led to Red Brown Kle’ Marketing and Communications, the realization of my dream," he reflected. "Of course, owning it, working it, and making it successful are day-to-day realities, but a dream worth having is a dream worth working for," Carl Brown concludes.
Father and Son, James and Carl Brown, you personify the Scripture: "Bring up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart." Your apples have fallen not far from the main tree. You each demonstrate the strengths of good family virtues and bonds.
It has been said that "a family that prays together, stays together," and your love, respect and support of one another illuminates your appreciation of each other. You are a testimony of faith, family, and fortitude, the mission of our yearlong focus: "For the Sake of Aaron." We laud your accomplishments and applaud your example. You are the bests!
Your personal values now permeate your business ethics, bearing fruit in your client roster and its impact upon the community. We salute you! You are the Best of the Bests!
Your business success can only grow in stature and monetary significance for your thoughts, actions and your deeds support solid professional acumen and the age-old values of respect, honesty and sensitivity; plus a commitment to a job well-done. You give your best. You are the Best of the Bests!
