Step Up

Inspired by
Willard Brown and Leadership

written by
The Delridge Library Crew

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood with Willard Brown
July 23, 2019

Gotta Stand up
and Take a bow
Step up, show the way
The time is now

Step Up
Have sense of time and place
Don’t need to be asked
To show the way

Courage
Action
(Peace)Kindness
Love

This program is built to highlight a leader in your neighborhood, Delridge. And boy did we find a fantastic leader in this community!

We will be focusing on Willard Brown’s story. He has lived and amazing life. He has 5 children, 7 Grandchildren and 2 Great-Grandchldren. He was born in Alabama and grew up in Los Angelas, he witnessed some awful things through his early years. Things like racism, violence and hatred. But he did not let these things take him over. He found the good inside of them, and those things made him stronger and fight harder. Most of his adult life has been spent in the Seattle area (because of the beauty) working to better the community. With the Seattle Housing Authority(34 years) he has helped revitalize New Holly, Rainier Vista, High Point and the foundation of the Yesler neighborhood. He also ran the Senior Housing Authority among other things. I could go on and on here. I assure you all that his worked has made an impact on each and every one of your lives.

His passion comes with connecting Nature to our communities. Especially right here in Delridge and Puget Ridge. Longfellow Creek is a huge project of his right now.

JR Rhodes is another amazing leader in this community! She leads through her music and through being true her experience. Her voice and songwriting dig down to the nitty gritty of the world and tell a story with beauty. She will be creating a song inspired by the story of Willard Brown.

Geoff is the Executive Director of Bushwick Northwest and is here today through their education program STYLE to deliver this first time program inspired by our Seattle leaders.