FORMER COMMISSIONER GWEN BROWN PASSES

            Dr. Gwendolyn Brown, Manatee County’s first African American Commissioner, died last Friday due to complications related to the coronavirus.  Her death was announced to the public by Commissioner Carol Whitmore during a County Commission meeting.  She was 68 years old.

Brown was elected to the commission in 1994 serving District 2, which encompasses the Manatee River to include Bradenton, Palmetto, Ellenton and Samoset neighborhoods.  She served until 2010.  In addition to being Manatee County’s first African American Commissioner, she was also the first African American chair of the Manatee County Board of Commissioners. As a commissioner, she also served on the Manatee County Port Authority and Manatee County Civic Center Authority.

Commissioner Reggie Bellamy, who now represents District 2, spoke of Brown’s impact on Manatee County.  “Commissioner Gwen Brown was a giant and a trailblazer in Manatee County, and I’m honored to stand on her shoulders. Such a towering figure has left us and we mourn her passing. She made a lasting contribution and will always be remembered for her role as the first African American Manatee County Commissioner and the first African American Manatee County Commission Board Chair. She was an icon and her presence and leadership will be deeply missed.”

Commissioner Whitmore had known Dr. Brown for many years.  “I met Gwen when I was mayor of Holmes Beach,” she said.  “I was elected to the county commission in 2006 and I nominated her to be chairwoman in 2009. She will be a great loss to this community.  Gwen had a good heart and cared about the citizens in the county and did great things no matter what party; she worked with everyone. “

I hear people say they don’t know anyone the virus touched but we can now put a face on it in our county.  We will miss her.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore

Ed Chiles, son of late Governor Lawton Chiles, remembers working with Commissioner Brown over the years.  “Gwen Brown was close to my dad; we campaigned together.  She was a remarkable woman who cared a great deal about some of the things my dad did – specifically children’s issues, health care issues and access to health care.  She worked on the front end so that she didn’t have huge problems that might come on the back end.  She was a history maker in terms of being the first black commissioner ever elected. She was a lovely woman with an incredible smile and was easy to talk to.  Our family sends our thoughts and prayers to her family.  It’s very sad to lose someone who is such a great figure, an important figure who gave so much to the community for so many years.  Gwen was a voice for the community who spoke for those who did not speak with a loud voice and made sure their concerns and needs were heard.”

Tarnisha Cliatt, president of the Manatee County Branch NAACP and CEO of Manasota Black Chamber of Commerce, said Commissioner Brown helped pave the way for others to follow. 

I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Commissioner Gwen Brown.  She has been a true pillar in the African American community and is a true example of what ‘paving the way for the future’ truly means.

Tarnisha Cliatt, Manatee Cty NAACP President

She broke barriers by becoming the first of many: the first African American and first African American woman to serve as a County Commissioner along with being the first African American Chair of the Manatee County Board of Commissioners.  Her footprint is deeply rooted in the foundation of the Manatee County and I am forever grateful to be able to stand knowing she paved the way for me. Rest well to one of the greatest African American women of our time.

Brown received her associate of arts degree in liberal arts from Manatee Community College, her bachelor’s degree in education from Florida Atlantic University and her master’s degree from Nova University in Administration Supervision and Early Childhood Education.  She was an adjunct professor at State College of Florida and taught Early Childhood and Management Classes at Headstart where she also served as executive director at Headstart from 1991 until 2002. She also taught parent involvement as well as multicultural and emerging literacy classes at Nova Southeastern University’s Bradenton site.

Over the years, Brown was involved in several organizations in the community including the Democratic Women’s Club of Manatee County, /Gamma Rho Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, CEO Roundtable, and was an alumna of Leadership Manatee.

            Brown is survived by her siblings, Leroy Brown, Eldred Brown and Francine Renee Hazel, and a special niece that she raised from birth, Jasmine Times.  Funeral arrangements were complete at press time.