We had the good fortune of connecting with Sharmaine Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sharmaine, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Jared’s Heart of Success was a vision birthed after my son Jared life was taken by senseless gun violence. The organization honors Jared’s life and legacy by providing scholarships to graduating seniors annually and is dedicated to advocating for gun violence prevention through education and youth empowerment.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Another program at Jared’s Heart of Success is our Project Prevention Conflict Resolution & De-Escalation program. The community-based violence intervention project for grade clusters (K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12) Through our program, students learn how to make better, safer decisions and resolve conflicts peacefully without violence, including (gun violence).

Results: Improvement in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.

In addition, we work with (young adults 18-23)

We are most proud of the youth that have successfully completed our program, graduated from high school and enter the college of their choice and/or a branch of the US Armed Services.

We partner with national organizations to extend our reach of advocacy to end gun violence and bring awareness to the movement. Gun violence is preventable, and we want to live in a world free of gun violence. Everyone can play a part especially if you know the signs.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One place that I always take friends that visit the city is to the Georgia Aquarium, The Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta (King Center) and to visit the Centennial Olympic Park.

The fun places to eat that I love is The Atlanta Fish Market

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to Jahna Johnson of JJ’s Define You Dance, Stone Mountain, Ga when I initially started Jared’s Heart of Success in 2016, she was one of the first partnerships I had established, and we have been community partners for nearly 7 years. It truly has been an honor to work with her she has the heart and passion to serve and dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of others.

Website: www.jaredsheartofsuccess.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaredsheart

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JaredsSuccess

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaredsheartofsuccess

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