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Community Corner

Fresh Manna: Local Do-Gooder Reaches Thousands With Inspiration

Leroy Brown Jr. reaches as many as 10,000 people each day with a spiritual message.

True role models possess an internal quality that empowers them to strive to be better people.

Often times, they have a special ability to inspire others, who in turn, act in ways that elevate society.

is full of unrecognized role models whose efforts are unheralded for one reason or another.

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One of them is Leroy Brown Jr., who is committed to helping local children succeed while empowering adults with spiritual inspirations that assist them on the path to personal growth.

He follows in the footsteps of his parents, Pat and Deputy Mayor Leroy Brown Sr., who over their 37-year residency in the village, have set a powerful example that has laid the groundwork for a life of service.

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"We were raised in a Catholic home,” Brown Jr. said. “As I got older, I realized having a good support network makes a big difference in people's lives. I was fortunate to have that at home and saw my parents take on that role with my friends and older kids in the community. It was almost a revolving door."

Brown Jr., a father of two young children, has assumed a similar stance taking on the volunteer position of executive director for , a nationally recognized organization that offers numerous avenues for community members to enhance and improve the educational experiences provided to students in with the over-aching goal of eliminating the academic achievement gap.

"My involvement with BAAWG was just a natural step,” he said. “Especially considering that I came out of the Bolingbrook school system and have a wife that was an educator. I have great pride when it comes to Bolingbrook. It bothers me when isolated, unfortunate incidents give the district a bad name. We have a lot of great success stories and when people get involved, more successes happen ... together we are able to make a difference in the way students learn and are portrayed."

Dorletta Payton, BAAWG’s vice chairwoman, said Brown Jr., has one of the biggest hearts in Bolingbrook.

"He hasn't forgotten where he came from or how he arrived at this point in his life,” she said. “He makes it a priority to reach back into the community in order to help others make good decisions."

For the past six years, Brown Jr., has made his presence known through a succinct daily email blast named Fresh Manna, which dissects and discusses a myriad of life experiences.

"As I got older and went to school (college), I realized I was not growing spiritually," Brown Jr., said. "I ventured out and started going to a Baptist church and developed a more intimate relationship with God. Now, my focus is just being thankful for what God has given. It is about being obedient and listening to God. Fresh Manna started from that focus. I was holding Bible study class at my job and God put it on my heart to share a daily message. I sent out emails and other people would share it. Now, I reach about 10,000 people a day."

Deepening his spiritual relationship also paved the way to his future bride, Miyoshi.

"When I joined Salem Baptist Church, Lee was the first person to physically touch me and congratulate me," she said. "He was there when I married Jesus and I felt God had revealed who my husband would be. Lee sets the temperament for this house and this family. I can tell you that this family runs as smoothly as it does because of who is he is and who he is in Christ."

If you would like to read past postings of Fresh Manna, visit www.freshmannaoftheday.org.

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