Conversations with Johnnie Brown

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Johnnie Brown.

Hi Johnnie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My life story is messy; it is filled with emotional ups and downs, ambiguity, and often time knowledge gaps. I am a native of Detroit, Michigan, the son of an alcoholic father and the product of an abusive home environment.

I struggled in grade school, was placed in special education, and was assumed to be a future statistic of failure and invaluable to society. But from a child, I have always had the will to thrive, and it is through that God-given willpower that I learn how to navigate the many challenges of life and press forward. My recipe for success: willpower, good people, and strategy.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There is no smooth path to success; the journey forward can be murky at best. The challenges of uncertainty, self-doubt, rejection, and the doubt of others can be daunting. However, I have learned to embrace the challenge and maintain a resilient mentality.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I serve as the Senior Pastor of Empowered Believers Church. Additionally, I work as a Manager of Clinical Transformation for UnitedHealthcare. My career spans nearly three decades in healthcare administration. I hold a Doctorate of Strategic Leaders, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in healthcare administration, and I am licensed as a Registered Nurse.

I am most known for my ability to bridge gaps for effective collaboration and relationship building on a global platform. I am most proud of the capacity I have been given in life to help others advance and gain new levels of awareness, a key driver for personal and organizational change and transformation. Aside from the aforementioned, I do personal consulting for individuals and organizations seeking to bring about effective change and transformation in their workspace. At the same time, leading the path forward for Empowered Enterprise Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)3 community development corporation. In my free time, I enjoy crafting my skills as a home chef.

In the Fall of 2022, I had the wonderful opportunity to cook off against Celebrity Chef Angie Ragan, Semi-Finalist on Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef Fox, owner of Salt by Angie Inc., to raise funds for Empowered Enterprise kids summer camp (Reezil). The thing that sets me apart from others is my keen perspective on the dynamics of self and others that impact movement in every environment and being able to utilize that insight for the good of the people.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Mentoring: Mentorship is critical in every level of life. My advice would be to identify someone you can by authentic and transparent with. After all, mentoring is more than building your brand and sharping your craft. At the core of mentorship is the imperative of developing your character and fostering cultural awareness and emotional intelligence.

And the right mentor will be concerned with the body, soul, and spirit of those they mentor. Furthermore, make sure you are visible; it’s hard to network or find mentorship if you are hidden regardless of how gifted you may be. I am learning at my seasoned age how important it is to network and put myself in environments with those who share my values. Being a sharp listener will help you know more deeply who those individuals and groups are.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @dr.johnb3