MOMS TO KNOW: Meet Kristen Brown

by Julie Tingley

When it comes to doing good and making the world a better place, Kristen Brown, social entrepreneur, has a vision that is changing lives every day in Tampa Bay. From her staff of 100 volunteers and 1,800 families served in 2020, to the 2,500 students served each quarter by Brown’s after-school programming TRIBE, thousands of people will agree that Brown is a mom you need to know.

KRISTEN BROWN | TRIBE Seminole Heights

F i n e Ar t We dd ing Photos , x i D a n i t cred i t : C h r i s ph ot o

JT: What inspired you to flip the switch from the corporate marketing world?

KB: I’ve been a single mom since my son was under a year old. When I became a mother, I was frustrated by how difficult it was to find variety, ease and affordability in children’s activities, and knew how much more difficult those challenges must be for families living near poverty. I felt strongly that more kids would be able to find their passions and explore new interests if we gave them easier access, and I wanted that access to be available to all children. I saw an opportunity to start small by making a change for the children in my neighborhood.

Every job I’ve had, every person I’ve worked with, all the knowledge I garnered in the different professional roles I have held, all led me to TRIBE. Combining those relationships and experiences positioned me to answer this calling during a long and intense health battle. I had the experience and ability to figure out a way to create a unique program and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to use my illness as a do-over button.

From the moment I mentally accepted the assignment, I started to gather the people. I suppose that’s why I feel like my story is insignificant. I represent just one small part of TRIBE. Though I am the founder, many people contribute to our organization: around 100 volunteers at any given time, 50 of whom lead the activities we provide for children. JT: How does TRIBE select its programming, and how has that changed in the pandemic?

KB: Our programs are drop in and pay-as-you-go, and that provides equity in ways that other programs, even if affordable, just don’t. We are always experimenting to see what kids get excited about [from ukulele to cooking, science to yoga, and Bollywood to ballet] and what programs we can add to help get them inspired.

Our programming is determined by volunteers who are excited and passionate about leading an activity, and our projects are selected largely based on what supplies we have received and need to use. Leveraging resources is probably the most important thing we do at TRIBE, and how we have been able to accomplish much of our work without a great deal of money. We waste as little as we can and will find a creative use for anything we are given! We receive significantly more in-kind donations than monetary support.

We lost a significant amount of momentum, and many of our volunteers, when we were forced to close for more than 6 months due to the pandemic. Though I am extremely proud of the work that we did during that time to uplift our community (check out our large-scale art installations!), like most other businesses and nonprofits, it caused a setback. At the same time, the needs for our programs, and of our families, have continued to grow. That has challenged us to continue to find new and creative ways to provide services, and the mentality of starting with what we have has been an integral piece of that strategy. JT: How can local businesses get involved with your mission? What resources are needed most today? And what are you most grateful for in 2021?

KB: Our greatest needs are financial support in the form of funding, major gifts, corporate sponsorships and other sustainable sources of income, and volunteers at every level. We need folks to assist in classrooms, help fundraise, and we need strategic partners that are committed to our long-term success. Individuals and businesses that want to get involved are encouraged to visit our website: tribeseminoleheights.com.

One of the greatest compliments I’ve received recently was when a board member remarked, “I’ve never seen an organization do so much with so little.” As powerful as that statement was, and it meant a great deal to me, it also represents our greatest challenge. Our work is not sustainable without the resources that most organizations have, and in order to acquire them, we need a level of support that is consistent that we can count on.

This year I am most grateful to the Vinik Family Foundation. In February, I was honored as one of their “Community Heroes.” They provided us with a grant for our most significant source of funding to date and allowed us the freedom to continue our work. Additionally, I am extremely grateful to our volunteers, without whom none of our work would be possible. They are an amazing group of people, and their extensive collective of gifts inspire me every day! JT: What keeps you focused and helps you overcome the hard days that are inevitable with entrepreneurship?

KB: I am a 45-year-old single mama, and I am beat! Did I mention that TRIBE is on the 3rd floor? So. Many. Stairs. Right now, my work is physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting and every day is a scramble from start to finish.

I don’t give up because I KNOW our work is not done. When I feel ready to give up, I think about all the people who have shared how much they wish that their community had a place like TRIBE. My encouragement to them is to create one, and I’m working as hard as I can to help build a template that other moms can use to replicate our work in their community. JT: What is your favorite thing to do with your son in Tampa Bay?

KB: There honestly has been no greater joy in my lifetime than seeing my own child enjoy the programming at the community center I created. Now that he is in middle school, he serves as my inspiration to expand the programs we offer to include more for adolescents. I love to spend time outside. You can find us sticking close to Seminole Heights most of the time. Please say hi if you do; he hates that!