By Cam Walters, PASA Operations Coordinator
posted 8.5.2014
Left: Student at DelSesto Middle School poses in Officer Brown’s jacket, (right): DJ Big Sean Brown!
Officer Sean Brown (aka DJ Big Sean Brown) first began working with PASA as part of the PASS (Providence After School Sports) program provided by the Providence Police Department. Sean ran sports programming ranging from basketball to football to “super sports”–a Big Sean Brown creation where every time students would come to the program, they’d find themselves playing a different sport.
He was drawn to the AfterZone because he felt that it would be a good opportunity for young people to connect with him as a police officer in positive, healthy ways. Additionally, because Sean is a School Resource Officer, the AfterZone gave him the opportunity to develop lasting relationships with students that he saw throughout the day. By building trusted relationships outside of the school day with students, it made it easier for them to feel comfortable coming to him during the school day with issues, questions, or concerns.
Though the PASS program no longer exists, Sean continues to provide programming in the AfterZone, and has expanded from sports into a very popular DJ program called “Beatz and Blendz.” In the program, students learn to DJ (make song lists, how to meet with clients, how to set-up the equipment, how to use the equipment, and more), but Sean also includes a mentoring component, where students go to help him at his own professional gigs and he guides them through the entire process of being a professional DJ. He even pays them for their time.
Sean has touched the hearts and minds of countless students. He’s a critical advocate and school liaison and without him, the AfterZone wouldn’t be the same. Thank you, Big Sean Brown, for your continued work and incredible dedication to your students.
For more in our 10th Anniversary series…