Verona Residents Bill and Sharon Brown to be Honored

Bill and Sharon Brown of Verona will receive the Nelson Mandela Freedom Award at Greater Newark Conservancy’s “Making Our City Bloom Gala” on May 10^th at Nanina’s in the Park in Belleville.

“As volunteers, Bill and Sharon Brown have proven to be an unstoppable team,” noted Robin Dougherty, the Conservancy’s Executive Director, “a dynamic duo dedicated to Newark, and the mission and work of Greater Newark Conservancy.”

William M. “Bill” Brown III, AIA, NOMA was born in Orange, New Jersey but grew up primarily in Newark. He is a registered Architect in the State of New Jersey, and owner of William M. Brown III, AIA, LLC. Bill is also employed with the Hudson County Engineering Division in Jersey City. He has over 40 years of architectural experience in commercial and residential design and brings intuition, understanding, compassion, creativity and problem-solving skills into his architectural designs. Bill earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Howard University in Washington, DC, and has been instrumental in connecting students from his alma mater to volunteer opportunities with the Conservancy.

Sharon Y. Brown, CPC, PCC, MS is a certified professional coach, owner of Collaborate Change, and a faculty member at Leadership That Works. She earned her BA degree from Swarthmore College and a Master of Science degree from Rutgers University. As a catalyst for personal, organizational and community transformation, Sharon supports people to envision powerful futures, overcome obstacles and co-create or advocate for the changes they want for their lives, families, organizations and communities. She serves on the Conservancy’s Advisory Committee for the Mother's and Daughter's program that is designed to help formerly incarcerated women create bonding experiences with their daughters.

Through the City Bloom Landscaping Program, the Conservancy and the New Jersey Reentry Corporation, provide job and life skills training for hundreds of Newark and Essex County residents as they move towards full-time employment and reclaimed lives.

The Conservancy also provides educational programs that enrich the lives of thousands of inner city children from pre-school to high school. Sustainably-raised produce grown on the Conservancy’s urban farms in Newark increase access to fresh, nutritious food for thousands of low income residents of the City, including many senior citizens.

Linda Bowden, New Jersey Regional President of PNC Bank, will be the event emcee. Other honorees include Hugo and Marilyn Pfaltz, who will receive the “Founder’s Award”, Jane Houston, “The Shipley Family Award for Philanthropic Endeavors”, and Don “Skip” Browne, “Joan D. Murray Volunteerism Award”.

You can support the continued good work of the Conservancy, which has earned a 4-star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator, the nation’s premier charity evaluator, by purchasing tickets for the Gala on Thursday, May 10th, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. To reserve tickets online, visit bidpal.net/citybloomgala or call 973.642.4646.

For more information about the benefit, including sponsorship opportunities and ad placement, visit www.citybloom.org. You can also visit the site to learn about other programs and services and volunteer opportunities and follow the Conservancy on social media at Facebook.com/GreaterNewarkConservancy, plus Twitter and Instagram - @Citybloom87.