Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ericka Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ericka , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.
Being a single parent whom at one point had it all. Loss it all. God placed me in a place of humble beginnings to reach back to those whom are in a sunken place. He bought me out. To reach back. Regardless of whom they are. What they did or didn’t do. Or where they’re from. Love. Love and support is what we do
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Being a survivor of molestation during my adolescent years. Domestic Violence entered my life at the tender age of 13. Sexual assault while in college in Atlanta, GA. I found myself in a sunken dark place. Depressed, angry and living life from a place of hurt and anger. I became very careless. Suppressing all the hurt, anger and violence that occurred in my life. Hiding my life and lifestyle from my family and friends. I became a master of disguise at an early age. Drinking heavily. Run in with law enforcement. I conceived my first son Tyler at the age of 23. He was born in Atlanta, GA at Grady Memorial. Yes, Grady my baby and named him Tyler. I then begin to realize it’s more to life than what I had experienced. I had someone to love and someone whom wouldn’t hurt me. I started focusing more on life and my son. 2 years later my son Justin was born. I began to truly transition and realize their is purpose in my pain. I relocated back to Columbia, SC my hometown to get help from family with my children. I began working and after being on a job for 8 years. I walked in one day and simply walked out. I quit! During that time. I had given birth to 2 more children. Now, a mother of 4 young boys. No job. I just knew God wanted me some where else. I then resulted to public assistance and moving back home with my mother. After, mediation one morning. God told me to move! I got up. Went to the grocer. Used my snap benefit card to buy food and drink items. I went to a known area for unhoused individuals and served the items. Everything was gone on less than 2 minutes. I turned many people away that day and it left me feeling empty. However, I knew that was it. My purpose. I found my gift and that was to serve. From that day back in 2017. I’ve been serving ever since. 2018 Be Kind Be Great was established and formally a 501c3 organization. We serve in many areas. Columbia, SC. Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC and have taken several trips to LA to serve the unhoused on Skid Row. We offer services now to the elderly such as food and toiletries. Out I Am program is geared towards female youth teaching interpersonal skills, crafting, job readiness and so much more. Atl is dear to me as much as my hometown of Columbia, SC. That’s why it’s important to keep our serving going there. We also offer mentoring for youth of CDV and sexual assault
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn anger and trauma bonding. Years of therapy and I still go until this day. I was in a vicious cycle of abuse and didn’t know how to live properly and not respond from a place of anger and hurt. I battled with trust issues.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I allowed people along my journey. I’m very transparent about my vision and purpose. I used social media to my advantage explaining the needs of the people whom are less fortunate. I became the voice for the voiceless.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BKBG.org
- Instagram: Be_kind_begreat
- Facebook: Be Kind Be Great
- Linkedin: Ericka Brown
- Twitter: Bekindbegreat1
- Yelp: Be Kind Be Great
- Other: Tik Tok bekindbegreat
Image Credits
Justin Brown of JBreezy Productions Atl