Avis Brown-Riley

Avis Brown-Riley promotes her life’s philosophy that dreams can come true, don’t give up, never give up, and anyone can become a champion in life.

As told by Avis Brown-Riley and written by Marie Y. Lemelle Photos by: Tonya Riley

While the 2020 U.S. Census data is not yet available, the World Bank reported that women account for nearly 51 percent of the population, yet inequality is higher than males. The women empowerment movement is a way to uplift and celebrate woman who may be viewed as ordinary people but in actuality are living extraordinary lives and contributing to the future of the world.

So how did a little seven-year-old girl from the inner city become a history maker, a champion in golf, a successful manager in a Fortune 500 company, breast cancer and fire victim survivor, and learn to empower herself in life?

My extraordinary path to becoming a champion in life began with golf which quickly became my passion. After suffering from third degree burns at 7 years old, I learned to deal with life’s unexpected disappointments and adversities. I found solace in playing golf.

As a little girl, it was my dream to be an LPGA Tour player. Under my father’s tutelage, I had a very successful junior golf career: I won the 1974 Junior World Championship and the only African American female to hold four Junior World trophies, the San Diego Women’s Amateur Championship and more than 50 Junior golf tournament titles.

I earned a collegiate golf scholarship at the United States International University in communications. I competed in more than 100 Professional Golf events including the United States Women’s Open; it was a challenge being the only African American woman competing at that time. After 25 years of playing competitive golf, I made a pivot and joined FedEx that presented a different challenge in my life. Against all odds, I rose up the ladder and pushed through the glass ceiling to be promoted to Operations Manager. As a wife and mother of two, I felt I had it all.

My world quickly changed in 2010, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My Stage I cancer quickly progressed to Stage IV. It was the toughest eighteen holes of life I have ever played. I made the decision to retire early. I am happy to say that I am now 12 years cancer free. Looking back, it brings tears to my eyes, I never gave up on me and returned to my passion of golf. I knew I had to keep fighting.

Becoming a Champion in Life is not easy, and I attribute my accomplishments and becoming the women that I am to my mother, Harriet Brown. She has always been my best friend, role model and number one supporter. Even today, she continues to help me to prepare the realities of the world and empowers me through her wisdom and knowledge. Her unconditional love and personal sacrifices epitomize motherhood.

My mother showed me that motherhood is a remarkable part of being a woman. From day one, the love she has for my siblings and me never ends. In turn, I have followed her footsteps, as I watch my children grow, learn, and excel in life. I will never stop loving, cherishing, protecting, guiding, and teaching them to be responsible and accountable as a woman and a man. Mothers want the best for their kids. As a mother, I pray that God protects them as they navigate their lives. I taught them to develop a Godly attitude and above all have faith. I have given my kids back to God.

Avis Brown Riley book, “Building of a Champion, How I became a Champion in Life: The Avis Brown-Riley Story” takes you on her journey to success. Among her many awards, the Women of Wealth Magazine Honored Avis Brown Riley with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Billionaire Roundtable Power Summit in Hampton, NY.

Walking in faith has led me to extraordinary achievements, I earned the coveted LPGA Professionals Class A certification to help make a difference and introduce this wonderful game to women and young girls. It was extremely rewarding being inducted in the San Diego Hall of Champions and the African American Golfers Hall of Fame, serving on numerous Boards. Accolades do not compare to the joy of giving back. During the past four years, I had the opportunity to introduce the game of golf to women and young girls and watching their eyes light up in amazement as they hit the ball. It’s priceless. Their joy has become my joy, and I realize that there is no greater gift than the sharing of knowledge and experience.

Before my battle with cancer, in my heart, I also knew that I wanted to give back and share my story with others who may face similar challenges. I am a firm believer that champions are winners at succeeding in life and everyone’s success meter is different, whether in sports, the classroom, or the business world. We all benefit from sharing knowledge, opportunities and empowering people with health awareness and life skills, it enhances everyday life experiences and promotes a readiness level to face and conquer daily challenges and recognize opportunities. “Building of a Champion, How I became a Champion in Life: The Avis Brown-Riley Story”, chronicles my achievements and success, how I overcame breast cancer and the building blocks for becoming a Champion in Life. I also share my trademark 3D’s (Dedication, Desire, and Determination) that empowered me to become a Golf Champion and a Champion in Life. I discuss the building blocks and the 3 components that are pivotal in contributing toward lifelong goals and success and becoming a Champion in Life. Building of a Champion is available on Apple iTunes, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble Google play, Target.com and Walmart.com. My book is also on display at the USGA Golf Museum and Library.

My oldest brother Gordon Brown, Jr. once told me, “It is not the adversity that you face, but how you face the adversity, that defines you as a person and builds character.” A Champion in Life understands that, if you have reached your potential for that day, you must remember, that there is always tomorrow.

A champion in life: • Learns and builds on their life experiences; • Faces adversity with class, dignity, and the belief that you will overcome it; and • Gives back to their community, with open hands, a warm smile, and a generous heart. My mantras are, “Follow your dreams, don’t give up, never give up!” It’s not the number of times you stand in the winner’s circle that makes you a Champion,” and “Dreams can come true, don’t give up, never give up, and anyone can become a champion in life.”

Avis Brown Riley book, “Building of a Champion, How I became a Champion in Life: The Avis BrownRiley Story” takes you on her journey to success. Among her many awards, the Women of Wealth Magazine Honored Avis Brown Riley with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Billionaire Roundtable Power Summit in Hampton, NY.

The LPGA and ABR Golf, along with social media are the platforms, are my ways to enlist, engage, encourage, and empower women, especially our young women who are our Future!

I share three main points during my motivational speaking events, conferences, seminars, workshops, and golf exhibitions.

1. Health Awareness

It is so important to stay healthy and drink plenty of water daily.

As a cancer survivor of 12 years,

I learned to keep my immune system strong with proper diet which has helped me to stay healthy and mentally strong.

2.Developing a winning attitude

Life is not about winning and losing; if you have reached your potential for that day, you must remember, that there is always tomorrow. Developing a winning attitude allows you to overcome culturally challenged people, brake down the barriers and take advantage of opportunities.

3. Building tomorrow’s leaders today! We can accomplish this by: “Empowering women and girls with knowledge, opportunity and awareness.”

woman’s opportunity of how to use golf to succeed in business. I share with my listeners, the current state of “Women Buying Power.”

The Rise of the Sheconomy as reported by Time Magazine:

• Young women have pulled ahead of their male counterparts in higher education; • Women now hold about half of nonfarm jobs in the US and own nearly a third of companies; • Women controlled more than $22 trillion in US spending in 2022; and • Women influence 80% of all purchases.

Finally, I leave them with this thought: Ladies, where is your coworker or business competitor at on Wednesday afternoons? They are on the golf course, closing that big deal, talking about promotional opportunities, networking, and creating lasting partnerships.

One of my more memorable life moments occurred during my battle with the “Big C,” I had a double dose of “Chemo” and Radiation” treatment. It was very hard for my daughter Ayanna to see me in my stage, so she stayed away. However, my nine-year-old son Amari would run home every day to be by my side. It was very hard for my children to see me go through the toughest 18 holes in my life and not to be afraid. I told them that mommy is a Champion and Champions always win.

I had just finished from one of my chemotherapy treatments and had to pick Amari up from school. When he got in the car, he said; “Mommy are your feeling OK?” I said “NO"! Amari, the chemo has me a little weak.” Amari then said, “Mommy, I don’t want you to die. You need to be in the stands at my first Major League Baseball game, holding a sign, saying Go Amari. “I need you mommy”.

Every mother knows that they would do anything for their children and I was determined not to let Amari down. This was the turning point in fight with cancer. I truly wanted to be there in the stands at his first Major League Baseball game.

I have many parenting mantras. The one that stands out is the importance of self-care throughout your lifetime. It does not matter if your child is a newborn or an adult, parenting is one of life’s biggest blessings but also most challenging task. You are on duty 24/7. I believe #4: Self-Care Isn’t Just Okay, It’s Necessary.

Yes! Like my mother, I too am guilty, it’s quite easy to put yourself at the bottom of the Totem pole and I felt guilty about spending a moment, or a dollar, on myself. As a mother, your children’s health, well-being, and safety come first. My child is my child and will always be my child; good, bad, or indifferent, a mother will always be a mother.

Projects and opportunities for me are ever-evolving. My greatest joy is serving as the President of Avis Brown-Riley (ABR) Golf. In spite of a busy schedule, I will continue as a Motivational Speaker and Mentor to young women by Enlisting, Engaging, Encouraging and Empowering women, especially our young women. They are our Future!

Taking ABR Golf to the next level is my vision. One of my proudest achievements, is referring girls to golf programs across the country including our HBCUs. Women and young girls around the world need inspiration, hope and the belief that dreams can come true, don’t give up, never give up, and anyone can become a champion in life.

I hope to be a beacon in someone’s life. I welcome the Where It Begins Family to connect with me on social media platforms:

LGPA Golf Pro Avis Brown Riley has broken records that have yet to be beaten. She works tireless to recruit young girls to learn golf and learn to be champions. Golf attire courtesy of KINONA and shoes by FootJoy.

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