This president is opening the doors for creative leaders to get their big start!

Serving since 1998, Dr. Joyce F. Brown has held the title of president at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). Dr. Brown is also the first Black and female president to hold the position. Throughout Dr. Brown’s career trajectory she strives to empower and transform the lives of the youth, placing education, and opportunity at the forefront.

Plus, Dr. Brown’s most recent efforts continue to be a reflection of her commitment to a more progressive society for the future generation of industry leaders. Students attending FIT are being further supported after the announcement of The Social Justice Center (SJC), which aims to diversify and strengthen the employment pipeline for minority communities.

For Dr. Brown, the move is timely as she recalls various funds being thrown at issues disproportionately affecting Black communities following George Floyd’s death. Despite backing from businesses, corporations, and individuals, Dr. Brown believed there were not enough sustainable infrastructures.

“I could see people were throwing money at this suddenly newly recognized problem of racism in America, and people were starting to talk about the disparities of progress for equally qualified people of color,“ Dr. Brown told AfroTech exclusively.

She continued: “People were recognizing the mission of those institutions but I did not see any program of support or infrastructure to ensure the progress for people of color and help change the behaviors that were creating the obstacles.”

Dr. Joyce F. Brown

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