The Southwestern Province Informer
Special Edition 2024
Behind the scenes Q&A with the 28th Province Polemarch
C. Jerome Brown
The Southwestern Province Informer is BACK!
As Province Polemarch one of my goals has been to reestablish the Informer. The Informer has served as the central communication platform for all noteworthy news within Southwestern Province for years. I believe this new version of the Informer will continue be such a platform and much more. I am thankful for Brother Kevin Norris of Arlington-Grand Prairie (TX) Alumni for assisting in getting this special edition created that shares more about me and my day to day efforts with Kappa and my home and community life.
The new Informer will also offer advertising space. This space will offer a new revenue stream for the Southwestern Province and will appeal to brothers, chapters, tourism organizations, entrepreneurs, and more to promote products and services. Let me know if you are interested in being a part of the Informerʼs team.
I want to thank the Brothers who served as officers in the 2023-2024 fiscal year and assisted in this 28th Administration transition. Thank you for all that welcomed me in my travels over this year. I could definitely feel that “Good Ole Kappa Spirit” from chapter to chapter and Brother to Brother. As we enter a new fraternal year in Kappa, our focus will be FUND: Finance, Undergrads, Network and Development. Expect to hear more on this!
Finally, I am eager to see you at the C. Rodger Wilson Leadership Conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on October 3-5, 2024. Yours in the Bond,
C. Jerome Brown, Polemarch
Deputy Director of Orginzation Effectiveness
sat down with Province Polemarch Brown and asked the following questions"
As a youth, what did you inspire to be? (Dream job or otherwise)
I tell a story about how I wanted to wear a necktie as an adult. As I prepared for college, I felt like business was the college major that equated to wearing a tie. I ultimately felt like if you wore a necktie you were respected. I majored in marketing and really had my hopes on two occupations, a sports agent/official or a non-profit executive. Have you achieved those inspirations?
I believe so. I have had a multitude of experiences where I owned a company that filmed and broadcasted sporting events. I founded and led the creation of a sports booster club and I have chaired several non-profits, also I am President of my company’s philanthropic foundation.
What about the Fraternity caused Kappa Alpha Psi to be your choice?
Fortunately for me I am a legacy, my father is a Kappa and is my role model. My father’s brother, William, was initiated and he followed his footsteps. So, the choice was an easy one. t
Throughout your fraternal journey, what are a few of your fondest memories?
I believe early on the development of the Hattiesburg Kappa League is one of the fondest memories. I was a part of the advisor group that went on to win the Jay Crosby Award. The involvement in the life of those boys who are now grown men is literally a daily reminder of the impact of Guide Right. We had tons of fund with them and traveled the Southeast with them.
How do you feel your contributions to the Fraternity have assisted in the growth and awareness of our fine organization?
I feel my time as a chapter advisor assisted in the growth and awareness of Kappa. I had a few sayings as a chapter advisor. I wanted them to have an achievement lifestyle and Brown works. LOL! These guys remind me of that all the time. Ultimately, I wanted them to live the motto of achievement and Brown works was a decree of how I embodied such achievement in my occupation.
Regarding Kappa Alpha Psi, what are you most proud of?
My proudest moments have come when I served as a chapter advisor. As chapter advisor of the University of Southern Mississippi Chapter, the Kappa Iota of Kappa Alpha Psi, I was able to develop and mentor a
Byron K. Armstong and Guy Levis Grant Awardee, a Junior Province Vice Polemarch, several province undergraduate board members and a host of men that are high achievers.
Congratulations on being appointed as the 28th Province Polemarch. What does it mean to hold such a prestigious position?
First and foremost, I am humbled by the appointment by 35th Grand Polemarch Jimmy McMikle. To follow in the lineage of the esteemed past province polemarchs is an honor. The constitution and statutes define the duties of the province polemarch which ultimately means that I am responsible for the management of the province. One thing to know about me in this role is that I am not the guy who says since we’ve done some things a certain way we will continue. We will review everything and be assured to adopt best practices and the best people to ensure we follow the constitution and statues. Even after a year, it is a continuous learning experience.
What
are your
short and long-term goals for the Province?
My short-term goal was to review and evaluate everything. Based on such, I am now working to produce a strategic plan that will live for the next three years. The plan will be to establish policies and procedures that the administration can easily understand and follow. Long range is to leave it better than I found it. That means fraternally, organizationally, and financially!
What
are your short and long-term goals for the Province?
My short-term goal was to review and evaluate everything. Based on such, I am now working to produce a strategic plan that will live for the next three years. The plan will be to establish policies and procedures that the administration can easily understand and follow. Long range is to leave it better than I found it. That means fraternally, organizationally, and financially!
How do you plan on obtaining the goals?
The Brothers of the Southwestern Province are going to be asked for their input. This will create a plan representative of what the brothers share. The Southwestern Province by number surely has the brothers that can do ANYTHING needing to get done. However, some brothers have been in place for so long that others do not get an opportunity to assist and take different approaches and best practices to accelerate the Bond, in my opinion.
How would you best describe your leadership style?
First and foremost, I am a brothers brother and totally understand that my diamond isn’t bigger or shinier than any others. So, I understand that collaboration and consensus building is emphasized in this administration. I value input and I am approachable. It’s the democratic style. Now at work...I am a little different.
How do you best balance family, fraternity, and vocation?
I am very fortunate to have a very supportive wife, Celeste. When this opportunity came to us, we discussed that we were ultimately agreeing that we would be doing this together. We of course had no idea of what that looked like from a time perspective but are committed to it. We do Monday evening dinner dates. We have to find that time just for us. Before I accepted the position I informed our CEO of the opportunity. I mentioned being out of the office potentially on Thursday, Fridays based on travel requirements. His response was “You know what you are doing and what has to get done…no problem”. Then he chuckled and said I don’t know where you are on Fridays anyway. So it was definitely important to have that level of trust.
What does a day in the life of C. Jerome Brown look like?
It depends on the day. My days are pretty full. I am an executive that is a part of a 8-person management team for The First Bank, an $8 billion bank headquartered in Hattiesburg with offices in five states, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia with 1,200 employees. We are publicly traded under FBMS and trade on the New York Stock Exchange. I oversee Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Affairs, our Community Development Financial Institution, and our bank Foundation. I am in various bank committee meetings daily.
As someone who has ascended to a major leadership role in Kappa Alpha Psi., what advice would you offer to brothers who inspire to do the same?
I would say manage assigned projects well in your career and the fraternity because someone is always watching. My career is a testament to that.
How do you feel Kappa Alpha Psi can best serve its communities globally?
Two words… Guide Right!
Is there anything else that you would like to share?
Evaluating Membership Intake returning to the SWP Councils.
Province income is being revised and reviewed through Alumni Intake, CRWLC registration cost and Province Council. We have deficit spending from all three.
Utilize Social Media and messaging content.
Get ready for the rollout of 28th Administration Focus…. F.U.N.D * Finance * Undergraduates * Networking * Development
Page 10
Mississippi History of Kappa Alpha Psi is a book created in part by Polemarch Brown.
C. Jermaine Brown, William Brown, Charles J. Brown, and C. Jerome Brown
Council of Province Polmarchs with Grand Polemarch McMikle and Senior Grand Vice Polemarch Jenkins at IHQ.
Brothers at the Congressional Black Caucus Weekend
Line Brothers: Jamie Travis, Polemarch Brown, Jermaine Brown and Carl Cunningham, Jr. at Conclave 1999 in Atlanta.
The Mississippi Valley State University Chapter the Zeta Zeta of Kappa Alpha Psi where William Brown was the chartering member and initiates are called Brown BoyZZ.
Page 11
Polemarch Brown pinning his son, Cameren as a new initiate into the University of Mississippi Chapter the Lambda Pi of Kappa Alpha Psi with his father Charles J. Brown looking on.
Brown with wife Celeste and daughter Carmen who is a cheerleader at Jackson State University.
Executives at The First Bank
Polemarch Brown and Bank team with a contribution to Jackson State University.
Polemarch Brown and son, Cameren.