We named The Brown House Experience as a recipient of a Sony Create Action Grant to support their inspiring mission to promote the positive development of at-risk youth. The Chicago-based nonprofit offers programs for youth to enhance their academic, social and emotional intelligence through hands-on exposure to the arts, STEAM, trades and mental health. As recipients of the grant, The Brown House Experience receives $50,000 in cash to continue and expand the organization's work, $50,000 in Sony Electronics products to support their action plan, and this Sony-produced short film telling their story.
Since 2016, The Brown House Experience has led impact across under-resourced communities throughout Chicago. Tia Brown, co-founder and CEO of the nonprofit, explains that they aim to instill confidence and help youth realize they can do things they didn’t know they could do. “I think that’s more important than anything, to let them know that you are more than what you see on the news. You are more than what you see on TV,” she explains.
By providing access to opportunities for hands-on exposure to the arts, mental and physical wellness, skilled trades, and entrepreneurship, the nonprofit enhances their academic, social and emotional growth. “As a kid I always thought that I would be helping my community in some kind of way,” explains Vice President Nicole Scott. “And so to do it as a teacher and getting to do it with The Brown House Experience is such a great thing. Especially that we control The Brown House Experience, so we can bring in different elements that sometimes public schools can’t bring in, so that’s what I love about it.”
“I love to see the light in their eyes when they get to do something hands-on, they never experienced it,” says Brown. “They’re exposed to things that are outside of their realm of things that they think that they can do. I love that. I love to see that spark that comes alive.”
The Brown House Experience continues to impact the lives of hundreds of youth across the Chicago area. Their goal is to expand their reach to at-risk youth across the country. Helping them discover their purpose and unlock their future.
“There are people out here that love you and are really pushing for you to succeed, and we’re those people,” adds Brown. “And we’re connecting you to even more people that want you to succeed and that you can call on. So that’s what I want for The Brown House, and for future kids to know that they are more than enough.”
Learn more about The Brown House Experience at TheBrownHouseExperience.com.
Stay tuned to Alpha Universe for future news and learn more about Create Action and our past grant recipients HERE.
