Creating a College Going Culture.
At Brown Issues, we meet young people where they are—at school, on social media, and in their communities—turning these spaces into hubs for cultural pride, mentorship, and growth.
Our signature after-school Brown Issues Chapters provide safe, supportive sanctuaries for youth. With over 20 chapters statewide, we offer social and emotional support, positive role models, and counter-narratives to the negative messages our youth often face.
Co-developed and led by dedicated volunteer mentors with lived experience, these chapters bring together youth from all walks of life—from students on probation to top performers—creating a vibrant community united by shared culture and purpose. Through college visits, healing retreats, art shows, and athletic programs, we set high expectations while supporting young people through complex challenges, helping them graduate, own their stories, and inspire others.
At Brown Issues,
we recognize that education extends beyond the classroom. Many youth spend hours on social media, so we use these platforms intentionally to showcase Brown youth as the heroes of their own stories thus informing, inspiring, and mobilizing them to take meaningful action.
Middle School To College Leadership Pipeline
Brown Issues engages youth inside and outside the classroom with leadership development that helps them find and amplify their voices. Our students graduate with confidence, cultural pride, and the skills to become bold leaders and lifelong advocates for change.
Our Goal
:
To unleash the power of 10,000+ youth over the next 10 years through the Brown Issues ecosystem.
Francisco Mejia
Middle School Member, Brown Issues
Our Brown Issues advisors provide a safe space afterschool for youth focused on positive identity formation, cultural pride, and building confidence as students and leaders.
“
Brown Issues is the best thing that has happened in my life. Brown Issues made me change my mind on things. It taught me to never give up, to help my community and that everyone is important in their own way.”Francisco Mejia is a Brown Issues member at Rosa Parks Middle School who recently arrived to the states from Honduras in 2020.
Francisco Mejia is a Brown Issues member at Rosa Parks Middle School who recently arrived to the states from Honduras in 2020.
Gonzalo
Advisor, Brown Issues
High school chapters introduce youth to leadership development and advocacy campaigns while providing mentorship and support for their academic success. Our high school program also gives students the chance to explore and plan their next steps through college tours and statewide trainings and camps.
“
Brown Issues has impacted me in the best way by teaching me the history of my culture giving me pride in who I am.
The organization taught me so many life skills like discipline, hard work, and they showed me that there are way more opportunities and possibilities out in the world and that I don’t have to limit myself to my neighborhood.
I used to be antisocial. I didn’t know how to socialize. They taught me how to find my voice and how important it is to speak up about injustices. Before, I didn’t care much for my community. Now, I want to be a leader in my community.”
Gonzalo was encouraged to join Brown Issues by his older brother who was part of the B.I. Young Men’s Academy 3 years prior to Gonzalo joining the program.
Daisy Flores
Former Co-Chair at UC Berkeley
At the college level, Brown Issues members design and lead campaigns for change on critical issues such as health and equity. Our college members serve as mentors to younger Brown Issues students and take the lead on planning community events.
“
Brown Issues provided me and my comrades a community within higher education where people of color can feel isolated. And, through this community, I was able to grow and co-lead organizing efforts that took us beyond the classroom. I deep-heartily hope that this org continues to expand to provide radical learning and collaborative space for the Latinx students at Cal. I am forever grateful for the love and joy we have cultivated and will continue to cultivate!”
Daisy Flores was born and raised in Compton, California. She is a first generation college student who recently earned her B.A from UC Berkeley with High Honors.
Francisco Mejia
Middle School Member, Brown Issues
Our Brown Issues advisors provide a safe space after school for youth focused on positive identity formation, cultural pride, and building confidence as students and leaders.
“
Brown Issues is the best thing that has happened in my life. Brown Issues made me change my mind on things. It taught me to never give up, to help my community and that everyone is important in their own way.
Francisco Mejia is a Brown Issues member at Rosa Parks Middle School who recently arrived to the states from Honduras in 2020.
Gonzalo
Advisor, Brown Issues
High school chapters introduce youth to leadership development and advocacy campaigns while providing mentorship and support for their academic success. Our high school program also gives students the chance to explore and plan their next steps through college tours and statewide trainings and camps.
“
Brown Issues has impacted me in the best way by teaching me the history of my culture giving me pride in who I am.
The organization taught me so many life skills like discipline, hard work, and they showed me that there are way more opportunities and possibilities out in the world and that I don’t have to limit myself to my neighborhood.
I used to be antisocial. I didn’t know how to socialize. They taught me how to find my voice and how important it is to speak up about injustices. Before, I didn’t care much for my community. Now, I want to be a leader in my community.”
Gonzalo was encouraged to join Brown Issues by his older brother who was part of the B.I. Young Men’s Academy 3 years prior to Gonzalo joining the program.
Daisy Flores
Former Co-Chair at UC Berkeley
“
Brown Issues provided me and my comrades a community within higher education where people of color can feel isolated. And, through this community, I was able to grow and co-lead organizing efforts that took us beyond the classroom. I deep-heartily hope that this org continues to expand to provide radical learning and collaborative space for the Latinx students at Cal. I am forever grateful for the love and joy we have cultivated and will continue to cultivate!”
At the college level, Brown Issues members design and lead campaigns for change on critical issues such as health and equity. Our college members serve as mentors to younger Brown Issues students and take the lead on planning community events.
Daisy Flores was born and raised in Compton, California. She is a first generation college student who recently earned her B.A from UC Berkeley with High Honors.
