'That lady who works with those kids': Oakland realtor's generosity, commitment set youngsters on the path to a college degree - Oral Lee Brown, benefactor to black students

Black Issues in Higher Education, July 17, 2003 by Lydia Lum

When Brown's students reached ninth grade, she took them on a tour of historically Black colleges. For some, it was their first time on a plane. Meanwhile, their high school had a dropout rate of more than 70 percent. So Brown secured student volunteers from the University of California-Berkeley to tutor and help them fill out applications for college. To keep them motivated, Brown secured speakers such as actor Malcolm Jamal-Warner and author Terry McMillan.

Student LaTosha Hunter was so inspired by Brown that she turned down an offer from Florida A&M University to attend Alcorn State University in Brown's home state of Mississippi. "I wanted to see where she came from," says Hunter, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting in May. "And I needed the challenge of getting away from city life."

Hunter arguably rose to that challenge. She played on Alcorn State's volleyball and softball teams and made the dean's list four times. Like so many of Brown's adopted students, she is first in her family to finish college.

Of course, disappointment and tragedy have occurred, too. Some students from that 1987 class dropped out of high school. Then, some who started college dropped out. Last fall, one young woman, 21, was shot and killed in Oakland.

Today, Brown's foundation receives at least one call a week from someone "asking for that lady who works with those kids." That led to expanding the pool from the original 23 students. The 60 other students are of different ethnicities and were chosen by foundation board members based on financial need. Just as she did years ago, Brown makes time for soccer games and music recitals. Now 58 and widowed, she still sets aside $10,000 a year from her salary for the future college costs. "Who gives me the right to say 'no' to someone desperate for help?" Brown asks rhetorically. "I am not as important as the children are."

But her beneficiaries, like Toney, are taking notes. "Hopefully, I can help kids one day like she does," says Toney, who has formed his own record label and production company. "There are lots of kids who want to go to college but are too poor."