1992: Dr. Dorothy (Dot) Browne. #LT30for30

Since 1992, Leadership Triangle has been a convener, educator, advocate, and amplifier for some of our region’s most engaged leaders and organizations. To celebrate our 30 year anniversary, we’re telling the stories of 30 Fellows from 30 years of programs. Each Fellow highlighted will represent one year of impact: from 1992, to 2001, to 2022.

What is your story?

Dr. Browne: I am a “child” of the 60s who was involved in the civil rights struggles at that time — even during high school. In fact, my selection of a college to attend was because it was near NC A&T, where the ‘Greensboro Four” attended. After spending two of my four college years engaged in demonstrations and sit-ins, I decided to listen to my parents and devote time to academic pursuits.

After completing undergraduate school, I completed my graduate education at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA., and at the T H Chan of Public Health at Harvard University in Boston, MA. In 1980, I accepted the position of Assistant Professor at UNC-CH School of Public Health (now Gillings School of Global Public Health). In addition to teaching and conducting public health research, I engaged in community efforts to stem and prevent gun violence and other adolescent high-risk behaviors. During this period, I married and gave birth to twins who are Brian Browne, a retired naval officer working in Cybersecurity, and Dr. Felicia A. Browne, an HIV/AID researcher at Research Triangle Institute.

As a Durham resident, I served on various boards (e.g., Child Advocacy Commission, Women Against Violence) and engaged in meaningful community activities (e.g., a member of COPE, a group of White and Black parents who worked to ensure an effective and peaceful merger of the Durham City and Durham County Schools in 1992), Before retiring from UNC-CH, I took a few side trips to other institutions to lead new initiatives, programs and colleges in Virginia, Maryland, and Mississippi. No matter how many times I left Durham, I always said that “Durham is my home,” such that rather than selling my house, I decided to let it remain empty each time I left. (Note: Durham was not experiencing the housing crisis that exists today!)

Although I am retired, I remain engaged in the Durham community. Currently, I serve on the Emily K Center and Durham Symphony Orchestra boards, and I am a member of the Leadership Council of Triangle Community Foundation. Additionally, I am a Senior Research Scientist at Shaw University, where I engaged in COVID19 research and program development.

What brought you to Leadership Triangle back in 1992?

The history of Leadership Triangle began with four individuals affiliated with the Triangle Community Foundation. I believe the impetus for starting the Program was the belief that the rapid economic growth in some areas and change in demographics portended the need for leaders who saw issues regionally instead of focusing on “my town”.

Before the 1990s, one felt that “each tub rested on its own bottom.” Frequently this sentiment was reflected in the views some individuals had about one town compared to another. On one occasion, I went into the women’s bathroom located in a building on the UNC-CH campus. I saw that someone had written on one of the walls in a stall: “Dying in Durham is Redundant” I was baffled after I read it until someone told me how some people in Chapel Hill felt about living in Durham. How things change!!

As a public health educator and researcher, I know the importance of collaborating across professions and establishing relationships if you want to get things done. This belief carried over to my commitment to addressing common and unique problems and developing solutions and new approaches to issues in the Triangle Region. Also, I was one of the individuals who had an affiliation with the Triangle Community Foundation and supported the development of Leadership Triangle. Therefore, I was committed to seeing that Leadership Triangle survive beyond its first class.

When the inaugural class assembled to learn about leadership and the Triangle Region, the members had no notion about continuing the Program. During the last week of the Program, we recounted the benefits and outcomes of the Program. After that session, the group voted to continue the Program. As I look at the cadre of leaders who have participated since 1992, I know our class made the right decision.

What was it like being a Black participant in the cohort?

There were three Black participants in the Inaugural Class — two Black males and me. While I acknowledged the need for diversity in the group, consisting of the three of us and 10 white females and 13 white males, I don’t recall the Black members feeling less respected, nor did I experience the micro-aggressions that I often encountered in my academic environments at UNC-CH. Personally, I saw Leadership Triangle as a haven in which my blackness, viewpoints, and perspectives about issues being addressed were supported and valued. I was not perceived as that “Angry Black Woman,” often stated in academic settings. Perhaps, my feelings of comfort were because many of the inaugural group individuals had some experience fighting for social justice and fairness, even though the arenas in which they fought differed from mine.

Zooming out, how have you seen Leadership Triangle and the Goodmon Fellowship grow and impact the Triangle?

Leadership Triangle and the Goodmon Fellowship Program have grown exponentially. I am amazed at the number, diversity, and caliber of the individuals who “graduate” from the Program. Throughout my professional and community endeavors, I encounter individuals who have participated in the Program. Sometimes, I know them by the leadership pins. Often, I learn of their affiliation after a meeting where someone comments about their stellar performance. Because the members are ever-present, and thus the impact of the Programs is tremendous. Each time I interact with one of the Leadership Triangle graduates, I repeat: “We made the right decision to continue what we started in 1992.” As Winkie LaForce would say, “Lead On.”

Who are some of your favorite Fellows?

There are so many impressive individuals who complete the Program. My favorite Fellow is the one I meet on that day or hour. All I can say is the region is in good hands.

We’re sharing #LT30for30 in support of our 30 year Fundraising Campaign. With 1001 Goodmon Fellows and counting, Leadership Triangle is raising money to invest deeply in our existing Fellowship ecosystem. The cohort experience should be just the beginning of our relationship and support of our Fellows. We need the help of engaged folks like you to make lifelong programming accessible.

If you can, sign up to be a monthly donor or give once in support of the campaign. Your donation will support our continued storytelling efforts, a pro-bono Coaching program for Fellows, investment in Fellow-led events throughout the Triangle, tailored career transition support for all Fellows, additional scholarships for incoming Fellows, and more.

www.leadershiptriangle.com/donate