Meet the Founder and CEO Jeremiah Brown of LEAD Athletics, LLC

Jeremiah Brown is the founder and CEO of LEAD Athletics, LLC (Leaders Embracing Athletic Dreams), Dean of Students in both middle and high school, motivational speaker, and retired NFL player. He retired early from the NFL due to injury and since has been committed to serving the community.

LEAD Athletics is a sports performance training company with a mission to train student-athletes to be physically fit for competition. We educate, equip, and encourage student-athletes to envision sports as much more than recreation, but as a passport and an avenue to enhancing one's professional and academic life. LEAD will provide student-athletes with the necessary tools to prosper not only in their athletic commitments and careers but will prepare them for fulfilling lives as they transition out of the sports world.

Brown has had a measurable impact on the youth, serving as a mentor for student-athletes, helping them to set goals not only in sports but in everyday life, raising awareness on mental health, and teaching financial literacy including how to secure scholarships. He continues to take LEAD to the next level, developing Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) curriculums and offering it to school systems and sports teams. The purpose of the PBIS curriculum is to develop student-athletes into holistic individuals. Too often, our youth only view themselves as just an athlete, leaving room for social and emotional gaps in one's life. With this curriculum, LEAD conducts social, emotional, and interpersonal skill workshops for student-athletes all over the tri-state area. We at LEAD Athletics are striving to give kids a chance to dream and see themselves in a way they couldn't even imagine, stimulating critical thinking and interpersonal skill development.

Who is Jeremiah Brown, and what was your motivation for starting your brand?

I am a mentor, educator, and entrepreneur. Growing up in poverty and having to witness my mother struggle to pay bills while raising me pushed me to lean on football as a tool. I was able to use football to gain a full-ride scholarship to play in college. From college football, I got signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL. I started to feel like I had accomplished my dream. That dream was short-lived when I had my last of many concussions, forcing me to retire early. Although I slipped into depression, identifying my purpose had become more evident. I wanted to have my own business, but not just any company. I wanted to build and motivate student-athletes by giving them the tools they need, teach them the necessary skills, and serve as their mentor. Ultimately driving me to create LEAD, Leaders Embracing Athletic Dreams™️, a student-athlete development program.

What are some of the main challenges you faced with growing your brand?

The biggest challenge I've faced is that there is no program similar to LEAD. That type of program does not exist. So when I explain to people what I am building and who my target audience is, they express how hard my road ahead will be. But, I am trusting the process and not taking no for an answer. On this journey, I have received more no's than yes's, and it has motivated me to strive harder to implement my program into schools throughout NYC.

What is some advice that you would have for anyone looking to follow in your footsteps?

Never let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. You are the most valuable player in your life. It is you and only you that can see your goals and aspirations to completion.

What is next for you?

I am using my life story to inspire the next generation to know and understand that they have more inside them than the sport that they play.

In Quarter 4 of 2020, I plan to publish my first book focused on student-athlete development. I am also developing a mobile app that will provide them with daily tools to help to attack each day with a purpose.

Follow Jeremiah Brown @1jeremiahbrown and visit his websitejeremiahbrown.org to learn more about him and the LEAD movement.