All over the month of February, the Sun Belt Meeting will be recognizing trailblazers at Sun Belt Convention institutions as section of its #RisingFoward initiative, celebrating Black Record Month.
Dr. Johnny E. Brown blazed a trail as the initially Black university student-athlete at Texas State University.


Pursuing graduation in 1970, Brown embarked on a distinguished vocation in education and learning and coaching, that provided serving as a school superintendent in Texas, Alabama and Ga, including his time as superintendent for the Port Arthur (Texas) Independent School District. He carries on to get the job done as an adjunct professor at Lamar College, serving in the superintendent certificate program.
Brown grew up in segregated Austin, Texas, and initial arrived at Texas Point out in the drop of 1966. Three many years before he matriculated to then-Southwest Texas State, a United States federal district choose signed a court docket purchase ending segregation at the college. He was the only Black participant on the crew until the 1968-69 time when Perry Jackson grew to become his teammate.
For Brown, who grew up in Austin, Texas, his encounter at Texas Point out sparked a lifelong enthusiasm for training and supporting other people.
“I thought about what part I could participate in to impact culture to aid people today love a improved top quality of existence,” Brown explained to The News in Port Arthur, Texas, in 2020.
Brown earned his bachelor’s diploma and later his master’s degree in counseling and steering at Texas Point out. In 1991, he graduated with his doctorate in instructional administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
He is the writer of two guides: The Emerson Avenue Tale: Race, Course, Top quality of Everyday living and Faith and The Emerson Street Story 2: Winners Normally Apply Application.
In 2020, Texas Point out formed the Dr. Johnny E. Brown Committee On Racial Equality (Main). Its objective is to create actionable recommendations to foster an inclusive society inside of Texas Point out Athletics. The committee has been discovering initiatives to strengthen instruction and growth prospects, market voter registration and voting, and engage with the group with regards to policing and relations.
“I am honored that Texas State University would imagine of me in that arena. It has to do with challenges of variety, equity inclusion, social justice, all of which are section of the Core application. It was an area of my excellent desire and worry even back again when I was in quality university,” Brown reported.
Brown is energetic in his local community by serving the Rotary Club and 100 Black Gentlemen of Greater Beaumont.
“I give credit history to my encounter and Texas Condition University, by turning into organized to be an educator and a coach. Staying bundled with the athlete who grew to become close friends gave me a various outlook on lifestyle, which I tremendously benefited from during my career.”