Meet Vinroy Brown

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vinroy Brown. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vinroy below.

Vinroy, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I’ve been blessed to live a life that has afforded me the opportunity to sit at many tables and stand in many rooms. And, if I’m being honest, I’ve often been the only one in the room who looked like me—who brought my particular experiences, perspectives, and background to the table. Often, I was otherized because of it.

How I’ve navigated that reality has depended on the nature of the room. But over time, I’ve come to a grounding truth: my existence is my qualifier. I now enter rooms with the understanding that either I already have what I need to succeed, or that simply being in the room gives me access to what I need.

Once I internalized that, I learned to show up fully and unapologetically—as someone who is charismatic, inquisitive, and creative. I bring my whole self into every space. While collaboration is at the core of my work, I also recognize that sometimes my role isn’t to change the whole room, but to make my corner of it more beautiful, more honest, and more reflective of who I am. I’ve learned not to overstep—but also not to shrink.

So whether I’m the only one or one of many, I move with intention. I honor who I am, where I come from, and what I’ve been entrusted to do. That has been the key to not just surviving those rooms—but transforming them.

I’ve learned that my difference is not a deficit—it’s a design. And in every room, I work to ensure that the next person who looks like me won’t be the only one.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a musicologist, conductor and educator whose primary work is in community music making! I’m the Minister of Creative Worship, Music & Arts at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New York, Artistic Director & Conductor of Capital Singers of Trenton, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Sacred Music at Westminster Choir College of Rider University. In each of these spaces, I get to make music with people of all ages and backgrounds, and I enjoy seeing progress in my music making communities.

At the moment, I’m also pursuing a Ph.D. in musicology at Temple University. In addition to my work in musicology, I’m also taking extensive courses in Africology and African American studies. It has been the most exciting time of my educational life! Before my Ph.D. studies, I taught in New Jersey public schools–Pre-K through 12, and high school special education, for a combination of five years.

I enjoy gigging around the country with various music festivals, orchestras, and special projects. In everything I do, I look forward the most to transforming communities through the power of music.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Flexibility, self-awareness and the business of music.

As an early career musician, I had to learn very quickly to be flexible. While school did an incredible job of preparing me for what life would be as a professional, some lessons were best learned on the job and they required me to be open to doing something not in the original playbook.

Self-awareness. Know the energy you carry when you’re in the room. You don’t have to put on when you don’t want to, but you can always shift an atmosphere–for better or worse–so be kind.

Every musician/artist/creative should be REQUIRED to take business classes in school. There’s so much we don’t know because we don’t always think of the practical side of what we do. But its necessary.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

I prioritize rest. While very hard to do, I make sure there are forced moments of unplug throughout the day. A simple ten minute centering activity–closed eyes, breathing, and thinking of positive thoughts–can help me in a moment of stress. I also try to plan for as much of the day as I can ahead of time to avoid being overwhelmed throughout the day. I also work hard, so when I unplug or have fun it needs to be met with the same energy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vinroydbrown.com
• Instagram: @v.davidbrown
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/VBDconducts
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinroydbrown