A Salute to Woman

THE WEEKLY GLEANER | MARCH 24 - MA RCH 30, 2021 | www.jama ica-gleaner.com | I S INCE ENTERING the not-for- profit sector in 1994, Marsha Brown has committed her expertise, resources, and talent to the work of supporting inner city youth, providing therapeutic counselling for women and children fleeing domestic violence and engaged in transformative life skills coaching. A professional development consultant, she is currently the vice- president at the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment. The organization is known for its commitment to building the self- esteem and self-worth of young women and girls by changing their outlook on life, broadening their horizons, and guiding them towards self-empowerment. In 2018, the Junior League of Toronto (JLT), an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, of which Brown is an active member was honoured with the Joan Croker Award, Community Service, for conscientious commitment to the well-being of others. As a graduate of Ryerson University, Faculty of Community Services, Brown is a Director with the Ryerson University Alumni Association, chairing its very first Diversity and Inclusion Committee and is also the Co-Chair of the Ryerson University School of SocialWork Alumni Association. She was instrumental in coordinating and moderating the first-ever discussion of this kind, to explore anti-Black racism and racial injustice in the field. As a result of an outpouring of enthusiasm from the 110-plus attendees, a Speakers Series was established to further explore other challenges facing the social work professionals. In addition to her service initiates in Canada, Brown actively champions a number of projects in Jamaica, participating in school builds as an ambassador with Food For The Poor Canada, and in 2019 established her own home build project for a needy family. For over six years she was also a donor of The Christian Boys Home, in Kingston, where she supplied necessities such as backpacks, school supplies and clothing for approximately 15 displaced youth and sponsored an ornamental fish project, designed to encourage entrepreneurship, and give the boys a sense of pride. Her mantra: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” – Gandhi. She is the devoted mother to Kia and Kory. Marsha Brown, supporting inner city youth Marsha Brown. CONTRIBUTED SANDRA SMITH is an attorney-at-law, consultant, speaker and philanthropist. Passionate about the Jamaican dias- pora advancement agenda, she utilises her acumen and expertise towards ad- dressing these issues. She is licensed to practise law in the United States, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago and is a partner in the law firm of Smith, Sykes, and Associates in NewYork City, where she specialises in immigration law. She is a graduate of The Mannings High School. Sandra’s passion for philanthropy led her to create the Caribbean Action Network Foundation Initiative (CANFI). This non-profit corporation connects members of the Caribbean diaspora to mobilise their collective expertise and resources to build more prosperous communities. Sandra Smith In addition to her service initiates in Canada, Brown actively champions a number of projects in Jamaica, participating in school builds as an ambassador with Food For The Poor Canada, and in 2019 established her own home build project for a needy family. 32 THE WEEKLY GL AN R | MARCH 24 - APRIL 24, 021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.co | WOMEN’S MONTH FEATURE