From Slavery to Community Builder: The Story of L.B Brown
By Charles B. Warren
What was different about Lawrence Brown, a highly successful business pioneer who lived with his wife and children in a small town in Central Florida? If you met him, your answer might be “Nothing”—until you discovered that Lawrence Brown was a former slave.
We are fortunate to learn about him through his own words. Brown comes alive through his journals, which detail his everyday business experiences and his personal life. From haircuts to finances to personal values, we learn about the man himself. Entries in the family Bible reveal further details of his life—as do his notes in the book The Golden Way to the Highest Attainment.
Brown lived in a time when it was dangerous to be a successful black person. And yet he excelled. He built a beautiful home where he and his wife raised their family. Over time, his home stood on the precipice of demolition, its history lost.
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Learn how the relationship between his son and a local historian miraculously saved the Lawrence Brown house and preserved his legacy.
Why I wrote From Slavery to Community Builder: The Story of Lawrence B. Brown.
1. First is simply that history is fragile--it can disappear over time and it can be distorted. In fact, that is what happened with Brown's story--it was lost for many years and only resurfaced through a miraculous series of events culminating in Clifton Lewis becoming aware of the historic importance of the L. B. Brown House and saving the house from demolition. This house and its history are far too important to let disappear again. This book will help keep it alive.
2. The second reason is that far too often...
The stories of how African American men and women helped build this country have been ignored. This story is a testament to the courage, skill and determination these men and women demonstrated as they struggled to make a place for themselves when times were dangerous and obstacles were placed in their way.
3. Okay, so maybe there was a third reason...Clifton Lewis.
If you knew Clifton, that would be enough said. Since he became aware of the historical importance of the House and of Lawrence Brown’s story, he has spent most of his retired life, saving and promoting the House and the story. He is a wonderful friend and community leader. His project deserves the attention a book can bring.
As mentioned, Clifton is the one who first became aware of the importance of Lawrence Brown and the house he built. He also is the founder and president of the Neighborhood Improvement Corporation, of Bartow, Florida, Inc. (NIC) The NIC is the owner of the L. B. Brown House. Mr. Lewis wrote the interesting Foreword to the book and contributed much of the information contained in the book.
