Meet Derschaun Brown | Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Derschaun Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Derschaun, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
The mission of Friends of the Children – Detroit (Friends-Detroit) is to impact generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors–12+ years, no matter what. To achieve our mission, we identify kindergartners experiencing poverty, trauma, and highest risk of involvement in the child welfare system. Once enrolled, each child is supported year-round by a highly-trained, professional—not volunteer—mentor (called a “Friend”) who helps them create and reach short- and long-term academic and prosocial development goals, from kindergarten through high school graduation.

Friends-Detroit is part of a national network that is breaking cycles of poverty and trauma for children who experience compounded risk factors and systemic barriers that often lead to negative life outcomes, such as interrupted education and school incompletion, juvenile justice involvement, and early parenting. We are an independent 501(c)(3) with 16 staff and 15 board members. Our goal is to create sustainable long-term positive outcomes for the children in our community who face the greatest challenges and have the least access to resources, opportunities, and other protective factors.

Ultimately, our vision is to ensure each child in our program reaches adulthood feeling empowered and possessing the skills and resources they need to achieve their goals.

We identify children (ages 4-6) experiencing poverty, trauma, and the highest risk of involvement in the child welfare system and commit to mentoring them through high school graduation – for 12+ years, no matter what. Once enrolled, each child and their family are paired with a salaried, professional mentor (called a “Friend”), who uses evidence-based, trauma-informed practices to form meaningful, long-term relationships with children and their caregivers. Friends help youth build protective factors to lay the foundation for lifelong resiliency and positive life outcomes such as high school graduation, financial health, stability in adulthood, healthy social emotional development, and supportive relationships.

Friends spend 3-4 hours of 1:1 time per week with each child in the child’s school, home, and community—partnering with the child on developing nine research – based Core Assets. Core Assets are prosocial life skills and internal resources that build confidence, empowerment, and support success in all areas of life. Our program focuses on the following nine Core Assets: positive relationships building; belonging; self-management; finding your spark; problem-solving; self-determination; perseverance/grit; hope; and growth mindset. Friends empower children to recognize their skills in these areas and strengthen them over time by applying them to real-world scenarios. These assets are further developed by working toward individualized “Road Map” goals identified by the child and their caregivers in the areas of: Academic Success, Improved Health, Prosocial Development, Plans & Skills for the Future, and Making Good Choices.

Outcomes
We determine success based on the following goals:
• 90% of children will make progress on their School Success Road Map goal, which includes obtaining grade-level literacy and numeracy skills
• 90% of children will make progress on their Improved Health Road Map goal
• 90% of children will make progress in at least 7 of 9 Core Assets

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As the Executive Director of Friends of the Children Detroit, my primary mission is to support my team and the families we serve as they progress personally and professionally. What distinguishes my journey is my background—I’ve experienced many adverse childhood experiences (A.C.E.S.) that could have significantly altered my trajectory if it weren’t for the supportive adults who encouraged and guided me positively.

I take immense pride in dedicating over three decades to helping individuals achieve success. Witnessing the abundant rewards of my efforts, with every person I assist in reaching their goals, brings me the greatest joy.

My aspiration for leadership has been a lifelong pursuit, starting from managing and directing roles in various organizations and culminating in my current position overseeing the entire operation. This dream was hard-won; I faced numerous rejections before finding the right opportunity. But I persisted, honing my skills to seize the opportunity that aligned with my calling and passion.

Through my journey, I’ve come to understand that my experiences were not solely for personal growth. They have inspired the creation of a nonprofit, a girls’ leadership program called You Are the Gift, and even a book titled I Am the Gift, all aimed at impacting the next generation positively.

The lessons I’ve learned include prioritizing faith and trusting in a higher power, persevering despite setbacks, and demonstrating genuine care for others. Forgiveness and commitment to excellence have also been key principles guiding my life.

I want the world to recognize the transformative power of giving back. By addressing the areas where I lacked support, I’ve been able to witness incredible outcomes, with over 4,000 youth finding purpose under my guidance. Knowing that my life experiences have contributed to shaping not just myself but also those around me is the most significant reward of all.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was to visit I’d exposed them to the many eateries in metro-Detroit like breakfast at Hudson Cafe and French Toast Bistro, dinner at Prime29 Steakhouse and Ocean Prime, the night-life of downtown Detroit at Campus Martius Park and some of the must unique places here like the African American Museum, the Science Center and the Aretha for some great concerts!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a huge shoutout to Brenda Belcher, an incredible mentor, coach, former supervisor, and friend who has been an unwavering supporter of both my professional and personal aspirations. Over the years, I’ve observed Brenda successfully lead several high schools, including one she founded herself, demonstrating unwavering dedication and commitment. Her coaching has equipped me with the necessary skills to thrive in my role as the Executive Director of Friends of the Children-Detroit. Even now, I regularly seek out her advice on leadership, and she continues to be an invaluable source of wisdom and resources, helping me to excel in my position. As Ken Brown says, “Never Take Lessons from a Coach Who Never Played the Game.” Brenda not only played the game but emerged victorious, making her guidance all the more invaluable.

Website: http://website-www.friendsdetroit.org/

Image Credits
William Bailey(headshot)