Lead by example: Father and son graduate together

Lead by example: Father and son graduate together

By John “Hennry” Harris

The role of father as it concerns to Black men is under a microscope like never before but Sherwood Brown, Sr. and Sherwood Brown, Jr. both showed that all is not lost.

The father and son each received their degrees from Florida A&M University’s School of Business and Industry according to the university’s official website.

Sherwood, Jr. has dreams of a career in the music industry and entered FAMU in 2008 taking classes in FAMU’s Department of Music and courses on the “business of music” in SBI. He cites his parents’ success as a definite inspiration and has already completed writing, producing, marketing and release of an album entitled, “The Wood.”

Sherwood, Sr. actually graduated from FAMU with a bachelor’s degree more than 20 years ago and returned to FAMU ad completed a Masters in Business Administration.  Sherwood, Sr. was fulfilling a promise that he made to himself to finish his Masters and wanted to be an “example to his children” on the importance of “never giving up on your goals.”

The father and son say that graduating at the same time was actually not planned.

“It was not planned,” said Sherwood, Jr. “We just looked up one day and realized that we would both be graduating at the same time.”

The Browns share a mantra:  “If you start something, finish it.”

Not only did the father and son live up to the standards they set for themselves, they achieved their goals together. Yet, success for the Browns does not stop there.  Sherwood, Jr. brother, Yeman, is also graduating from Florida State University’s dance program.

The Browns’ graduation was reminiscent of Dorian Joyner Sr. and Jr., a father and son who shared a graduation weekend at Morehouse College last May.

The Browns have five college degrees among the four family members which is a testament of their dedication and support of one another.