Educator and speaker Percy Brown Jr. believes that there are two types of education: the one you receive in K-12 schools and higher education, and the most important one—the education you give yourself. For Brown, true self-awareness leads to personal growth, success and empowerment.
“Knowing yourself creates the foundation to love yourself, to believe in yourself, to dream and to set goals,” said Brown, CEO of North Star Consulting Services, Inc. “The education you give yourself shapes how you engage with the formal education provided to you.”
This philosophy drives Brown’s mission to reshape the educational experience for students—especially those in underserved communities—by focusing on cultural awareness and Black history. His work not only helps students excel academically but also sets them up for lifelong success.
Brown’s journey into education began after earning a degree in history from Delta State University in Mississippi. His first role was as the minority services coordinator at Madison’s Memorial High School, where the then-principal, Bruce Dahmen, encouraged him to pursue a teaching degree.
“This was the start of my reinvention as an educator,” Brown reflected.
After earning a Master’s in Education from Edgewood College, Brown took on the role of Director of Equity and Student Achievement for the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, where he served for nine years. During this time, he noticed a troubling trend: Black students were not performing well academically.
Determined to make a difference, Brown worked to diversify the district’s staff and create a more inclusive curriculum. He also advocated for the creation of student-family engagement positions, which provided additional support for students and their families.
The results were clear. By the time he left the district, staff diversity had increased from 2 percent to 14 percent and administration diversity went from 3 percent to 30 percent. Resources were reallocated to better meet the needs of all students, and there was a significant increase in the graduation rates for Black and Brown students.
As word of his success spread, Brown began receiving invitations to speak at national conferences and work with schools and organizations on equity and inclusion. He spoke at prominent events, including those hosted by the National Alliance of Black Educators and the American Educational Research Association.
In 2016, Brown took the next step and founded his own consulting company, continuing to expand his reach.
His passion for history, particularly Black history, inspired him to explore his own family’s roots, which led to his debut book, “Strength through Generations: A Black American Family’s Fight for Equality through Faith, Love and Education,” released in March and available online.
“I am who I am because of my family,” said Brown. “We must know where we came from to truly understand who we are.”
In his book, Brown blends personal family stories with a broader narrative of Black history, highlighting the resilience of Black Americans throughout history. Each chapter begins with a quote from a notable figure who has shaped his life—Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and even Kobe Bryant. The final pages of the book include self-reflection exercises to encourage readers to deepen their cultural literacy.
“My goal is to help people build cultural literacy—an understanding and appreciation of both your own culture and that of others,” explained Brown. “History and culture shape how we interact with each other, and when we understand our shared humanity, we can build more connected and supportive communities.”
Brown’s work extends far beyond his writing. For more than 12 years, he has been a powerful advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, reaching tens of thousands of individuals. He’s spoken at churches, trained educators and addressed students on topics such as responsible use of technology, hate speech in schools and, of course, Black history.
On June 28, Brown will host a book signing at The Hub, where he’ll share his work and further his mission to expand the conversation on Black history.
“Right now, in these challenging times, I place my faith in God and in people. I believe justice will eventually prevail, and answers will come,” said Brown. “We have to remain open-minded and learn from each other. When we focus on what we share in common, we can create stronger bonds and foster a sense of unity.”
As his work continues, Brown remains focused on one mission: empowering others through education, cultural understanding and a deeper connection to their roots.
