I Am Me: Anneze Brown, Miami, FL
Summary
“I Am ME” profiles individuals and couples who are touching the lives of families and children in communities throughout the nation through Marriage Education. This week, Fatherhood Channel features Anneze Brown of Miami, Florida.
Marriage Education is touching the lives of couples, families and children across the country. “I Am ME” profiles individuals and couples teaching relationship and marriage education classes in their local communities. We call this series “I Am ME,” both because “ME” is an acronym for “Marriage Education” and in honor of a poem by the same name written by the late Virginia Satir, a pioneer in the field of marriage and relationship education. Satir’s “I am Me” remains one of the most powerful declarations on self-esteem ever written.
Anneze Brown became a certified PAIRS’ Instructor in 2006 and has been actively teaching relationship skills and marriage education classes to South Florida’s Haitian community since 2009.
Born in Haiti and immigrating to the United States in 1991, Anneze has been married to Kevin L. Brown for four years. She is the Founder and President of Rapha Family Services (a non-profit social services agency primarily serving the Haitian community in Miami-Dade and Broward counties). She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work, is Co-Founder and President of the Association of Haitian Social Workers, and is currently completing her Doctorate Degree in Theology. She has worked extensively as a family therapist and mental health clinician throughout South Florida.
1. What led you to want to teach relationship and marriage education classes?
My passion is to see families enjoy their relationships. However, due to the lack of communication skills, many homes are broken and those who are the most vulnerable are the ones who get hurt, most often children.
2. How are the challenges facing young couples today different than those you faced?
I don’t think that they are much different, except that many young couples may not have the same community support that I have. Having other couples/individuals who share the same commitment to the success of one’s marriage is a blessing.
3. How has being a marriage education instructor impacted your own marriage and family?
It keeps me married! LOL. I am more sensitive to my family’s feelings and better equipped to deal with their personalities.
4. What are some favorite hobbies you enjoy with your family?
Watching movies.
5. What three qualities would you like your children or spouse to most admire about you?
- Commitment to God;
- Compassion to help others;
- Passion to fulfill my destiny on this Earth.
Contact Information:
Anneze Brown
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Editor’s Note: If you’d like us to feature a Relationship and Marriage Educator in your community, please e-mail their name, contact information, and a brief statement about why you’d like to see them profiled on the FatherhoodChannel.com to editor@fatherhoodchannel.com.