{"id":225130,"date":"2024-11-22T11:52:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T16:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=225130"},"modified":"2024-11-25T08:49:40","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T13:49:40","slug":"khara-browns-inspiring-journey-resilience-and-courage-at-montclair-state-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2024\/11\/22\/khara-browns-inspiring-journey-resilience-and-courage-at-montclair-state-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Khara Brown\u2019s Inspiring Journey: Resilience and Courage at Montclair State University"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a high school senior, Khara Brown advocated for a leadership conference for young women during a recruitment event with Montclair State University. Inspired by a similar program for boys, she urged University leaders to create the same opportunity for girls. After enrolling at Montclair, she helped plan and successfully launch the initiative. What she couldn\u2019t have imagined at the time was how her own journey would come to exemplify the conference\u2019s theme of resilience and courage.<\/span><\/p>\n

On November 21, Montclair hosted its 10th annual Women\u2019s Leadership Conference, organized by the University\u2019s Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF)<\/a>. Centered on the theme \u201cTriumph Over Trauma: Transforming Pain into Power,\u201d the event empowered young women by addressing critical challenges like mental health struggles and trauma \u2013 issues disproportionately affecting underrepresented and low-income populations.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Brown, the theme of healing is more than just a concept \u2013 it\u2019s a reality she has lived. After overcoming life-threatening challenges that began during her sophomore year, she has since returned to school and is on track to graduate in May 2025. At this year\u2019s conference, she was honored with a Triumph Over Trauma Award, recognized in front of more than 350 high school students, educators, community leaders and artists.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s definitely not where I thought I\u2019d be,\u201d Brown said. \u201cI didn\u2019t expect to come this far, but I\u2019m glad I did. I\u2019m here in my grandmother\u2019s name, and that means a lot to me. On days when I don\u2019t feel like I can keep going, I remind myself that I\u2019m doing this \u2013 for her and for myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A
High school scholars, selected for their academic and community achievements, pose with their leadership awards. (Photo by John J. LaRosa)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Women\u2019s Leadership Conference \u2013 and its companion event, the Boys to Men Conference<\/a> \u2013 serves not only as a source of inspiration and education but also as a pathway to enrollment. High school students are introduced to the admissions process, scholarships and support, showcasing strategies that emphasize Montclair\u2019s commitment to breaking barriers<\/a> and creating opportunities for Black, Latine, and first-generation women to thrive in higher education.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe want the scholars to know they\u2019re not alone and that there are a wealth of resources to help them heal and grow,\u201d said Dr. Daniel Jean, Associate Provost for Educational Opportunity and Success Programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Khara’s Story\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In 2015, Brown faced a 97% fatality diagnosis after being hospitalized with catastrophic intestinal failure, paralyzed and barely able to speak. Despite the odds, she remained determined.<\/a> In introducing her during the awards ceremony, Jean recalled: <\/span><\/p>\n

When the doctor said she had a 3% chance to live, she whispered to her mother, \u2018If God created the world from nothing, imagine what He could do with 3%.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Her resilience drove her through multiple surgeries and intense rehabilitation. Today, she is presenting original research, receiving prestigious scholarships, and exploring the complex history of free and formerly enslaved African American communities. She will graduate with a bachelor\u2019s degree in Anthropology, with minors in Archaeology and Native American and Indigenous Studies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI love learning about cultures, traditions and customs,” Brown said. “The more you learn, the more gaps you can bridge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout her journey, Brown was supported by her family and mentors, including Delores McMorrin, her EOF counselor, who shared a video message:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis conference exists because of you \u2013 because of Khara\u2019s audacity to ask, \u2018Why not?\u2019 Her journey reminds us that our greatest strength lies not in avoiding challenges, but in how we rise through them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Performances, Stories and Inspiration<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"A
Members of the NJ Bomba Collective perform. “Bomba” is one of Puerto Rico\u2019s African-based musical traditions and cultural practices, believed to be over 400 years old. (Photo by John J. LaRosa)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThemes like \u2018Triumph Over Trauma\u2019 emphasize resilience, self-advocacy and the importance of embracing one\u2019s story \u2013 no matter how challenging,\u201d said EOF Counselor and Academic Advisor Jazmene Mosley, a co-organizer. Co-sponsored by the Office of Residence Life, the event provided young women with a transformative experience designed to shape their high school journey as they prepare for college. Highlights:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n