Alma Arrington Brown
Alma Arrington Brown
Alma Arrington Brown (February 14, 1940 - April 3, 2016) was a bank executive and wife of late United States Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown (U.S. politician).[1]
Personal
Brown and her husband Ron got married after he completed his Army basic training in 1962.
After Ron completed his service in 1967, the Browns returned to New York, and in 1973 relocated to Washington, D.C., where Ron headed the offices of the National Urban League. She is survived by her two children, Tracy and Michael.[2]
Education
Brown attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. She later attended Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, where she earned her Master's degree.[3]
Career
Alma started her career by working for the National Black Child Development Institute as a program specialist, after which she became the program director of the National Council of Negro Women. She ventured into the public sector in 1984, serving as executive assistant to the acting director of the Office of International Business in Washington, D.C. She later became the director. [1][3]
Brown became involved in broadcasting in 1989 when she took over as director of public affairs and public relations for WKYS. She worked there for six years before joining Chevy Chase Bank as a vice president. Shortly after the merger of Chevy Chase Bank and Black Entertainment Television to form BET Financial Services, Brown became vice chairperson of the venture. After the bank severed the relationship in 1999, Brown stayed on with Chevy Chase, where she presently serves as senior vice president. [3][4]
Following the death of her husband in a plane crash in 1996, Brown and her children established the Ronald H. Brown Foundation, which established a policy center for domestic and international commercial growth, as well as the Ron Brown Scholars Program.[5] Brown served as an honorary co-chairperson of President Bill Clinton's reelection campaign in 1996.
She was active with the National Urban League, the United Negro College Fund and the Girl Scouts of America.
The Ford Foundation, the National Council of Negro Women and the National Association of Broadcasters honored her for her work. [2]