Let us give you a brief overview of who Ms. Brown is in our community and then let’s dive into her interview.
Educator, motivator, and inspirer, Ms. Renee Sharonda Brown is a native of Myrtle Beach, SC. She earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Morris College in Sumter, SC, and after some time spent in gaining work experience she went on to earn a Master of Education degree in School Counseling from Cambridge College in Augusta, GA. She proudly boasts that she is a first generation college student. In her eighth year as a middle school counselor at Mauldin Middle School, she brings seven years of a wealth of high school experiences serving as a high school counselor at Woodmont High School.
Ms. Brown is a member of The Palmetto State Counseling Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Spartanburg Chapter, South Carolina Alliance of Black Educators, Piedmont Chapter of Morris College Alumni where she serves as the Vice President, Mountain View Baptist Church where she is the ministry leader of Christian Education, a member of the Young Women Ministry and helps coordinate many programs such as Vacation Bible School, Children’s Church and Baccalaureate Service.
Ms. Brown was featured in the Upstate Parent Magazine and was recognized as one of the top 10 educators in the UPSTATE in 2019. She also received the Employee Spotlight through Greenville County Schools that was sponsored by Horace Mann.
Ms. Brown is the Founder of the BLUSH Female Mentoring Program that began in 2015
BLUSH focuses on
• Helping a young lady improve in school
• Nurturing a young person’s confidence and self-esteem
• Listening to a young person and helping her solve her problems
• Exploring career possibilities
• Meeting successful people
While in that program she teaches young ladies how to give back to the community and give them skills and knowledge to develop into great young ladies. Ms. Brown is a speaker who encourages youth and young adults mostly to find their way and stay on track in life. She does workshops that lead to social-emotional needs, self-esteem/confidence and is often heard sharing her own story. You can find videos on Ms. Brown’s YouTube page at Renee S. Brown, Speaker.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am the youngest of five. I was a daddy’s girl. Both of my parents are deceased. I miss both of them very dearly. I have a fur baby named Harley and he is ten years old. I have recently claimed the term ” Auntie” to many of the people in my community even some former students and their children.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am currently a School Counselor at Mauldin Middle School, I also worked as a high school counselor before switching to middle school. The joy of helping young people solve an issue related to academic, emotional & social needs brings a type of warmth and smile to my heart. I love helping ALL children everyday, 1000 percent of the time.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
J Peters in Fountain Inn was amazing, Arizona, Taste of Home in Laurens but I just love food!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I moved here from Myrtle Beach, SC in 2007. I lived in Simpsonville until I bought my home in Fountain Inn in 2014.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I work at CVS in Fountain Inn part time, and I must say– I have met some interesting people as they come through. People from all walks of life. The mayor, city council people, doctors, educators, business owners, police, animal lovers and many more.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I have never been out West. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Caribbean warm island, but I would love to go to Cali, Arizona, Colorado, Montana or anywhere on the West side of the US.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Everyday that you open your eyes, you have an opportunity to START OVER and make it count! Just because you had one bad day, doesn’t mean you have a bad life–Keep Pushing!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Go see a Broadway production.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Silver Bay Restaurant — only because I am a Seafood lover/Beach girl, so this is the closest I will probably get to seafood in the upstate.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Besides Oprah, Michelle & Barack Obama, Iyalna Vanzant , Brenae Brown, my mentors from back home and my friends, I would love to get all of my mentees of the BLUSH Female Mentoring Program and take them to a ” fancy” restaurant like Stella’s or Soby’s or Halls Chophouse so that they can experience something that they haven’t experienced before.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that we have a trail, Cedar Falls Park, and a Winery. I love me some Fountain Inn!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I would love to own the ” BLUSH House,” a safe house where the students in my program can come for tutoring, talks, and to listen to different speakers. I will be preparing for retirement and traveling the world to encourage people by sharing my story of life!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I got hit by a Mack truck when I was a child and I had to learn to walk all over again. BUT GOD!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
I love the mountains going toward Asheville.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Many of my high school classmates, college classmates, some co-workers, friends and family. It is the simple things that they say to keep me encouraged.
Q: Describe what “neighbor” means to you?
Community! People who look out for you and they don’t expect anything in return.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Safety, Porch & Laughs.
