Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Corinthiah Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Corinthiah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

After my release from prison, The foster mother who had my four sons , started a support group for recovering mothers of recovering children- she asked me to co-facilitate with her – she encouraged me to become an addiction counselor. , and paid for my first Certified addiction counselor class – my trans momma helped me find an organization to obtain the required supervision hours at the organization she worked for , It Takes A Village

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.

I am a black woman , single mother , recovering crack addict , abuse survivor and a woman who experienced the criminal justice system. My experience within my family abandonment in active addiction encouraged me to help others with similar experiences
I dedicated my life to helping women and transwomen rebuild their lives from the grips of addiction, trauma and PTSD, my love and respect for the trans community started when I was a 15yr old runaway from Denver Children’s home , I was homeless and just had my firstborn son, two transwomen walked up to me to see the baby and realized I needed help, they took me home and became my family. They are my auntie mommas to this day.
I love helping others , In 2018 I started the Don’t Look Back Center from my lived experiences

Can you open up about how you managed the initial funding?

When I started the agency, I had no money I was working as a behavior health worker at University Hospital I applied for loans and was rejected so I cashed in my 401k and used the money to get started and apply for my 501c3 – I also worked full time for the first 5 years as a the Addiction program manager at It Takes a Village , building the agency was a long process of sleepless nights and sacrifices, I love the work I do in the community with the community and for the community.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Yes, I would definitely choose to be in a helping field , be a part of changing lives is rewarding, watching families reconnect is overwhelming joy , and assisting women and transwomen rebuild their lives, families and communities is what I love the most about my life today, and being a living example that recovery is possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thedontlookbackcenter.org/
• Facebook: www.thedontlokkbackcenter
• Linkedin: linkedinCorinthiah Brown

Image Credits

The Don’t Look Back Center Inc.