Story & Lesson Highlights with Dr. Beverly Browning

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dr. Beverly Browning. Check out our conversation below.

Beverly, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am walking a spiritual path to find myself after over 50 years of working 10-16 hours a day, day in and day out, to first start up and manage my grant writing & consulting firms, and then to create a nonprofit, private, non-operating foundation. I’m turning 77 in November, and I feel like I’m wondering who I am and what’s next in my life. I continue to teach online courses and am finishing up my last group of live Zoom-delivered training programs. I’m also a full-time caregiver for my husband. Admittedly, I still have time for things I love to do.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Dr. Beverly A. Browning (aka Dr. Bev or Bev). I think I am in the final season of productivity until the next big idea comes into my mind. I manage my small business, Bev Browning, LLC, and my foundation, the Grant Writing Training Foundation. As of July of this year, I moved from being a paid employee of the LLC to a volunteer for both entities I manage daily. My brand is training anyone and everyone how to write award-winning grant requests. What makes my unpaid work life interesting? Helping small nonprofit organizations, new nonprofit governing boards, and grant writers (hopeful, practicing, and highly successful professionals) find their way in the grant industry. About five years ago, I was invited to serve as a founding investor and member of the governing board for Integro Bank, a community bank based in Phoenix that caters to small businesses. I took a leap of faith after a lot of convincing and said yes. I served for three terms as a corporate board member. During my tenure on the bank board, I founded the Intergro Bank Foundation. I am so proud of our bank and its foundation. I have since moved on from both commitments, but the bank and foundation will always hold a special place in my heart and mind. What am I working on now? I’m passing the coaching, mentoring, and freelancing for grant writers’ courses to a competent colleague who will continue providing training in partnership with my foundation.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Due to my early childhood circumstances, I believed I would be a clerical worker from entry to exit in the workforce. I didn’t really dream about anything grandiose; I felt insignificant and in the way from birth until I married at age 18. I no longer believe that anyone’s early life circumstances shape their destiny. I don’t think that studying is more important than common sense and street smarts. Luckily, I was a quick learner and found myself in an accelerated learning program in fifth grade. I didn’t have to study much from first grade to 12th grade. I also didn’t think I was college material. No high school counselor ever steered me toward college preparation courses. I was always advised to take classes related to clerical and retail sales. I succeeded against all odds because I’m a fighter and will pursue what I need to fulfill my life’s mission.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The defining wounds of my life have been:
-Taking 12 years to complete community college degree requirements. I was a teenage bride, but not a teenage mother. Staying focused on my education had paid off decade after decade, helping me heal the trauma of becoming a long-standing fixture at the community college.
-I healed my lengthy community college tenure wound by finding an accelerated bachelor’s degree program that accepted all of my random college and technical school credits–enabling me to earn the degree in one year.
-Being accused of a Code of Ethics violation by two long-time membership associations was recent and hurtful due to how I was notified and the mystery of the member(s) who complained. I was loyal to these organizations, contributing to scholarship funds and annual events, and providing valuable training for their members. To be professionally attacked by one or more other members was hurtful. How did I heal? I chose not to engage in vitriol because I made an informed decision to join a for-profit advisory board for a corporation that provides critically needed information for grant seekers and grant writers. Any new and improved features should not be viewed as a threat to the targeted audience or other companies offering services in the same Standard Industrial Code classifications. Competition is the American way. How did I heal from the darts of discontent hurled at my professional legacy? I know I have a higher purpose than engaging in low-level tactics. Life is too short to even lose one second of sleep or peace over the discontent of others.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
My peace. I refuse to let anyone or anything steal my peace. I don’t engage in arguments, backstabbing, gossip, or have a payback attitude. I believe that whatever I’m accused of in private must be brought to the light. Why? To help others who find themselves the target of legacy attacks.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I think at age 77, 10 years is a very generous longevity gift to consider. I would stop stressing over everything that I have absolutely no control over, like money, the elusive retirement date/time (haha), and whether I’m going to heaven or hell.

Contact Info:

• Website: None
• Instagram: bev.browning.48
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevbrowning/

Image Credits
Jacob Shoenberg, CEO of Grantx