Harold Sanford Brown, Jr.

Harold S. Brown, Jr., the 2nd oldest child of Harold S. Brown, Sr. and Betty Jayne (Palmer) Brown, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on December 30, 1946. He had seven brothers and one sister.

Harold graduated from Emmerich Manual High School in Indianapolis. He was the first in his family to graduate from college, attaining a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana Central College, as well as Master of Arts Degree in Human Relations at New York University in NYC.

Professor Brown served as an academic and vocational rehabilitation counselor at Indiana University in Indianapolis. He later became the ad hoc children’s ambassador to the United Nations for the International Year of the Child in 1979.  Professor Brown served as Assistant Dean of the New York Institute of Technology at the Manhattan Campus; Dean of Student Affairs at New York City Community College of City University of New York;  an Indianapolis Urban League volunteer and founding member of its guild; a 35-year volunteer and board member of Spirit Builders Cerebral Palsy Foundation; a life member of both Alpha Phi Omega National Boy Scout Fraternity and Alpha Pi Omega National Drama Fraternity; Project Director and Primary Research Investigator for the National Institute of Mental Health for the study and treatment of emotionally disturbed children and their families at the Wiltwyck School/Bedford Stuyvesant Campus in Brooklyn, New York.

Recently, Professor Brown was named the first Indiana state-approved Director of Education for the Department of Corrections at the Marion County Jail, where he graduated 79 inmates inside the jail in a two-year period. However, Prof. Harold Brown will most be remembered for his tireless AIDS advocacy work motivated by the fact that he was one of the longest living HIV/AIDS survivors (43 years). He served as the US Representative to the 2018 International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Prof. Brown was also the Founder and President of the Hoosier IAC International AIDS Conference Scholarship Fund which is focused on raising up a new cadre of HIV leaders in Indiana.  Since its inception in 2019, 34 people have received scholarships to attend the bi-annual International AIDS Conference. 

Professor Brown’s faith in God and hope in Jesus Christ gave him the courage to become a civil rights activist as early as the 1960’s and a lifelong champion of racial justice. He was actively involved and a beloved member in many churches in Indianapolis, including Broadway United Methodist Church, Allen Chapel AME, All Saints Episcopal, and Trinity Episcopal Church; additionally, he was actively involved with the Indianapolis Bahá'í Center.

Harold S. Brown, Jr. passed on Sunday, April 7, 2024, from massive injuries sustained in a tragic traffic accident; his family and friends were by his side. He was 77 years old. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold S. Brown, Sr.; mother, Betty Jayne Brown; partner, Wayne Richcreek; brothers, William and Paris Brown. Left to cherish his memory are his remaining siblings, Robert Brown (Minnie G.), Dr. Eric H. Brown, Sr., Marshall L. Brown, Sr., Marcus L. Brown, Sr., Rev. Dr. Greggory L. Brown (Mary A.); and Harolyn Brown-Terry; his beloved nieces and nephews, Adra Brown, Blair Brown, Brandie Brown, Brian Brown, Brittany Massey, Christion Brown-Terry, Cortez Brown, Kasie Brown, Marcus Brown, Marcus L. Brown, Jr., Mario Brown, Marlon Brown, Marshai Neville, Marshall L. Brown, Jr., & Robin A. Brown; his cousins, Diannah (Palmer) Neptune, Davienne Neptune, James Bynum, and Rotinia Bynum-Parks; and a host of extended family members, friends, & colleagues.

Family and friends will gather on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Broadway United Methodist Church, 609 E. 29th St., Indianapolis.  A service celebrating his life will follow at 1 p.m. in the church with Rev. Aaron Hobbs officiating. 

Memorial contributions are encouraged to the Hoosier IAC International AIDS Conference Scholarship Fund, c/o Broadway United Methodist Church, 609 E. 29th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46205.  Envelopes will be provided at the church. 

Arrangements and care are entrusted to Lauck & Veldhof Funeral & Cremation Services, Indianapolis. 

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