Civic-Minded Alum Makes Philanthropy Go Further

Student Support

Since Axle Brown began his college search, he has been focused on making it better for others.

Before he would seriously consider applying to Johns Hopkins University, Brown questioned an admissions counselor about the school’s commitment to social concern and community service. Inspired by her answer—and the academic promise for a Public Health major—he headed to Homewood, the first of his family to go to college.

Over four years, Brown volunteered at a local public school, served on student boards, and established a local chapter of Campus Kitchens, an organization that donates surplus food from campus dining halls to homeless shelters. His commitment spilled over to class work, such as a sophomore-year project in which he planned a digital media project that would facilitate dialogue between young Israelis and Pakistanis. Studying abroad in India the next year, he used what he had learned to detail three refugee families’ flight from war-torn Iraq to India. The families used his report to gain expanded services from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

For Brown, this civic-mindedness is about taking what he’s been given and sharing it with others.

“I would not be here if it wasn’t for philanthropy,” he says. “And as my personal development has been through service, I’ve kind of channeled the philanthropy through me out into the community.”

 His father passed away when Brown was 14 years old. For the eldest of seven brothers and sisters, it was a moment of self-reflection that inspired him to think about what kind of life he wanted and how he could fulfill his potential. But the possibilities seemed distant for a kid growing up in Bonham, Texas.

 “When I was younger I always thought college was not for me,” Brown says. “It’s not something that was instilled in me.  What was instilled was survival.  We needed to live.  We needed to pay the rent.”

Brown became motivated to succeed at school and gained entry to the highly regarded high school United World College –USA. From there he came to Johns Hopkins, with support of the Hodson-Gilliam Success Scholarship and the First Generation Scholarship.

After graduating in May, Brown is now living in Washington, D.C., working on the staff of the U.S. Under Secretary of Energy.

“I consider my education a gift. There are so many pieces of it that I am really thankful for; one is just to explore your interests,” Brown said. “I’m involved in community service and civic work because I get so much out of it. I’ve found my passion.”