We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chad Brown. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chad below.

Chad, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

My professional endeavors span a multitude of dimensions within the creative sector, integrating entrepreneurial efforts with a mission centered on conservation that prioritizes humanity, public lands, freshwater resources, wildlife, and the advocacy of indigenous cultures and their rights across the United States. As a combat veteran of the Navy who participated in both Desert Storm and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, I returned from military service carrying profound emotional wounds. Many veterans encounter similar difficulties upon reintegration; we frequently experience disconnection from our former lives and grapple with reestablishing ourselves in society after enduring trauma that shifts our outlook.

In numerous communities, there exists a significant gap in understanding how to effectively support veterans. This dissonance can result in fractured relationships and marriages, impeding our healing journey. Through my involvement with Native American communities, I discovered their perspective that views veterans as warriors whose recovery necessitates communal support. A warrior’s healing is not an isolated endeavor; it demands a collective commitment to help them reclaim their strength and identity as community leaders.

This healing process underscores the importance of love, kindness, respect, and rekindling connections between warriors and humanity. My personal journey entailed confronting challenges associated with PTSD and TBI while actively engaging with Native American populations. These experiences enabled me to connect with others who share a passion for nature within the outdoor community. The convergence of these influences guided me towards fly fishing as a therapeutic outlet.

Fly fishing emerged as my avenue for recovery and motivated me to launch my inaugural nonprofit organization: Soul River Inc. This initiative concentrates on outreach programs tailored for veterans and at-risk youth from urban environments by cultivating relationships through experiential outdoor leadership opportunities. We designate our activities as “deployments,” which focus on identifying vulnerable areas needing new advocates for public lands and indigenous rights.

The curriculum offered by Soul River Inc. enhances environmental consciousness while fostering leadership abilities among participants during deployments ranging from three days to two weeks. Our objective is for both youth and veterans to emerge as champions for conserving precious natural spaces while developing meaningful connections that empower them.

Through my engagement with this nonprofit work, I rediscovered my creative potential after utilizing my GI Bill benefits to pursue graduate studies in communication design at Pratt Institute in New York City. Graduating provided access to opportunities within the creative industry as a designer and photographer across diverse sectors including fashion culture.

I gained invaluable storytelling expertise while working on commercials at agencies such as Campbell Ewald West before encountering challenges related to PTSD that temporarily disrupted my creativity as I focused on personal healing through Soul River Inc.’s development initiatives.

As the organization thrived, it afforded me chances not only to express creativity but also to amplify marginalized voices through storytelling within outdoor contexts—highlighting distinctive narratives about diverse individuals making significant contributions today despite often being overlooked by mainstream audiences.

Currently, my work centers around employing photography and filmmaking techniques aimed at tackling environmental justice issues alongside themes of social justice—stimulating discourse surrounding urgent societal concerns through compelling narratives showcased on screen that challenge conventions while illuminating cultural richness even in times of adversity.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Chad Brown is an award-winning documentary-adventure photographer, filmmaker, and conservationist. As a Navy veteran, Chad’s journey has been marked by resilience, creativity, and a deep commitment to environmental and social justice. He is the visionary founder and president of two pioneering non-profits: Soul River, Inc. and Love is King.
Chad’s unique work merges outdoor adventure travel, the preservation of threatened wild spaces, and the empowerment of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities. Through his compelling projects, Chad connects the public to endangered lands and their people, capturing the essence of human spirit and passion in moments of vulnerability and strength. His striking documentary portraits, captivating photographic exhibitions, and thought-provoking films advocate for social and environmental justice.
Chad’s career began on a conventional path, but soon took bold and unexpected turns. He studied communication and photography at American Intercontinental University, and earned his Master’s Degree in Communication Design from the prestigious Pratt Institute in New York City. Chad’s creative prowess led him to manage interdisciplinary teams across multiple agencies, serving in roles such as creative/art director and photographer. As a freelance artist and editorial photographer for The New York Times, Chad’s work intersected with hip-hop fashion and culture, collaborating with industry moguls like Russell Simmons of PhatFarm and Rasheed Young of Run Athletics to create national campaigns for hip-hop culture magazines.
In 2007, Chad relocated from New York to Portland, Oregon, further expanding his life and career beyond conventional boundaries. His adventure photography has since taken him to Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the Alaskan Arctic. Nature played a critical role in Chad’s healing from the trauma of war. Following a failed suicide attempt, he founded Soul River Inc. in 2013. This non-profit specializes in cultural expeditions called “deployments,” which unite at-risk youth and veteran mentors in mission-driven experiences within threatened wild spaces, seamlessly blending advocacy and outdoor education. Soul River Inc. also led Chad to Capitol Hill, where he advocates for public lands, wild places, and indigenous peoples, providing youth leaders with opportunities to interact with Congressional members.
In 2021, Chad launched Love is King, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing access, safety, and healing in the outdoors, along with conservation leadership training for BIPOC communities and underserved voices. Chad’s unwavering dedication to these causes has earned him positions on the boards of the Alaska Wilderness League, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, and Northern Alaskan Environmental Center.
Chad’s impactful work has garnered national attention, with features on BBC, CBS, Good Morning America, and NatGeo/Disney’s Called to the Wild, as well as in publications like Outside Magazine and The Drake. He was the inaugural recipient of the Breaking Barriers Award presented by Orvis and the Bending Toward Justice Award from Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. Most recently, Chad received three prestigious IndieFest Film Awards in 2024, including the African American Theme Award of Recognition, the African American Filmmaker Award of Merit, and the African American Theme Award of Merit.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

**My creative journey experienced a transformative pause after college when I enlisted in the US Navy, serving valiantly during the Gulf War and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. Upon my return, I faced the daunting challenge of grappling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) while reintegrating into life in New York City, where I began my career as an art director in various agencies. I wish to share a chapter of my life that embodies resilience, particularly during a tumultuous period while I was living in the vibrant city of New York. This was prior to the tragic attacks on the Twin Towers, and I found myself actively pursuing opportunities in the design realm, primarily through freelancing. In pursuit of growth, I took a bold step and applied for a teaching position in doctoral multimedia design at the International School of Design in Seoul, Korea. They showed genuine interest in my portfolio and resume, which led to several engaging discussions that sparked their curiosity about my unique skills and experiences.

After numerous conversations, they extended an offer for me to join their faculty. This was not just a job; it represented an exhilarating chance to teach abroad while also penning a book on cross-cultural design inspired by my time in Seoul. Everything appeared bright until I received an email detailing the logistics for my relocation from the United States, which required various documents like my birth certificate and passport.
As I meticulously gathered these items and prepared for this new adventure—selling off possessions and storing others—I realized that sending them a photocopy of my passport marked the last hurdle before securing my position. When that long-anticipated confirmation email finally arrived, elation surged through me initially; however, it quickly morphed into profound disappointment as I absorbed its content. The message conveyed their preference for staff who embodied specific physical traits—blonde hair and blue eyes.
This revelation cast a shadow over what should have been a celebratory moment; it ignited feelings of anger and frustration within me. Despite having been considered based on merit—my education, experience, and talent—the decision not to hire me due to the color of my skin felt like an insurmountable obstacle that eclipsed all other facets of my identity as an educator.
Confronting this injustice shook me deeply, yet I resolved not to let it define or diminish my fervor as a creative professional designer and photographer. Instead, I printed that email out and placed it prominently near my workspace as a source of motivation—a constant reminder propelling me forward rather than hindering me. This incident became integral to my journey toward resilience; it taught me how to channel negativity into constructive action while ascending from design roles toward directorships in pursuit of success against all odds. “I climbed the ladder from designer to senior art director,” Chad reflects. “One fateful day on the subway, running late for a meeting at the Twin Towers, I found myself caught in an unexpected moment. The train halted right on the bridge,” he recalls, taking us back to that harrowing day in 2001. “As I peered out of the window, it was then that I witnessed a plane striking the Twin Towers.” The gravity of that moment weighed heavily on him: “It was surreal; people were panicking around me while I struggled to comprehend what was happening.”

In the aftermath of this chaos, Chad lost his job and fell behind on rent, prompting him to embark on similar work independently. “Much of my experience revolved around advertising and fashion,” he explains. Initially labeling himself a freelancer—“a term I despised”—he shifted towards embracing his identity as a creative professional. Operating under his own label allowed him to present himself as an agency.

“As luck would have it, a friend connected me with Phat Farm’s team—Russell Simmons’ brand—which was seeking an agency to launch its new line called Run Athletics,” Chad shares enthusiastically. “Rev. Run and Rashid Young offered me this incredible opportunity.” He met with their team: “They challenged me to come up with something innovative by Friday.” Teaming up with a renowned copywriter friend sparked inspiration within him; instead of three concepts, he generated nearly forty ideas by that deadline. “The conference room became my canvas,” he smiles, remembering how some ideas were loved while others were not—but ultimately secured him a place as their client.

“Before even signing any contract, they requested my top photographers.” At that point, photography wasn’t yet his forte—his focus remained on design and direction. Undeterred, he ventured into Manhattan and reached out to various photography studio representatives until one invited him in for an honest discussion about his vision. They assembled their best photographers into a portfolio showcasing him as their representative—a surreal experience for Chad. “The next morning at 9 am,” he recounts proudly, “I placed that portfolio on Rasheed’s desk.” After presenting styles from several photographers they decided: “Let’s go with this one! It was showtime—execute!” This marked a pivotal moment filled with boundless opportunities.

“Being immersed alongside those influential figures within hip-hop culture undeniably influenced me,” Chad reflects thoughtfully. Yet amidst success lay struggles; unaware of triggers from his PTSD during daily commutes led to overwhelming stress moments. “A conversation with Rashid opened my eyes to yoga’s significance,” he recalls fondly—Russell Simmons had often credited yoga for much of his triumphs too—a practice unfamiliar yet intriguing to Chad initially.

Rashid encouraged him: “You can find grounding even amid chaos.” Looking back now offers clarity; those words held profound wisdom about staying centered amidst life’s storms—a vital lesson for nurturing creativity without allowing toxic energies into one’s sacred space.

“It felt intimidating working alongside them—it was akin to racing thoroughbreds,” Chad admits candidly about Run Athletics dynamics where business acumen became crucial alongside creativity. He quickly learned strategic thinking’s value; merely producing aesthetically pleasing work fell short without robust planning driving emotional engagement towards sustainable outcomes.

Design schools often neglect teaching these fundamental business aspects necessary for thriving creatively—an essential lesson learned through trials and tribulations along his path ultimately leading him toward international projects across Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Bangladesh collaborating with national fashion houses on branding efforts.

“I didn’t fully embrace photography until diving deeper into agency roles,” Chad explains regarding his artistic evolution sparked during commercial projects which ignited newfound passion behind the lens capturing stories visually rather than just products or campaigns.

His initial collaboration at Phat Farm paved avenues leading toward another significant client opportunity—a brand appearing ubiquitous across retailers like Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch among others—in Hong Kong against prominent agencies left Chad feeling both anxious yet determined demonstrating loyalty coupled with unique strategic insights setting himself apart from larger teams enmeshed within corporate red tape dynamics.

That pivotal contract blossomed into multifaceted roles encompassing creative strategy alongside videography spanning four countries—all orchestrated single-handedly from Hong Kong while employing local talent enriching experiences throughout diverse cultures over three transformative years filled with growth beyond measure.

However intense shadows loomed when returning home brought forth challenges confronting deep-seated PTSD previously masked by fast-paced city life—the slower tempo allowed unresolved emotions resurfacing leading down paths fraught despair resulting ultimately homelessness facing grim realities scavenging for sustenance drawing blood for survival compounded by suicidal thoughts culminating hospitalization after near-tragic incident along Portland riverside.

Guided back towards healing by compassionate individuals leveraging faith propelled recovery journey through nature reconnecting life’s essence further nurtured through fly fishing initiation shared by supportive friends paving way toward rediscovering passions once lost amidst turmoil redirecting purpose towards empowering youth veterans embarking outdoor excursions fostering conservation leadership initiatives propelling renewed enthusiasm capturing heartfelt narratives via photography focusing human connections rather than mere products transforming artistry reflecting profound changes within self while uplifting communities encountered along adventures shared enriching lives collectively woven together creating ripples resonating far beyond personal experiences alone.”

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Here are a few life lessons I learned along this path

Resilience in the Face of Adversity: “I climbed the ladder from designer to senior art director, even when life threw unimaginable challenges my way. Witnessing the Twin Towers fall was surreal, but it taught me the gravity of resilience.”

Embracing Identity and Innovation: “Initially labeling myself a freelancer, I learned to embrace my identity as a creative professional. Operating under my own label allowed me to innovate and present myself with confidence.”

Finding Grounding Amid Chaos: “A conversation with Rashid opened my eyes to yoga’s significance. ‘You can find grounding even amid chaos,’ he said, teaching me to stay centered amidst life’s storms.”

Navigating Career and Creativity: “Working alongside influential figures within hip-hop culture was intimidating, but it taught me the value of strategic thinking and business acumen alongside creativity.”

The Power of Nature and Healing: “Guided back towards healing by compassionate individuals, I reconnected with life’s essence through nature. Fly fishing and supportive friends helped me rediscover my passions and purpose.”

Transforming Adversity into Advocacy: “From homelessness to hospitalization, my journey propelled me to empower youth veterans and foster conservation leadership. Capturing human connections transformed my artistry, reflecting profound changes within myself and uplifting communities.”

Contact Info:

• Website: chadocreative.com / soulriverignc.org / loveisking.org
• Instagram: _chadbrown_

Image Credits

All Images Provided by Photographer – Chad Brown, chadocreative.com