Gloria Brown, through relentless hard work and dedication, was able to move her family of four out of the housing projects. Gloria always dreamed of better for her children, and she was eventually able to make this dream a reality when she became the proud owner of a fixer upper home in Bridgeport. Once her family had settled into their new home, Gloria continued her efforts to strive for more and became involved in community programs in an attempt to work to better the community as a whole. However, a roadblock to the Brown family’s dreams soon mounted. A tragic fire, caused by backyard firecrackers, nearly destroyed most of the house. Despite the extensive damage to their home, most the Brown family escaped injury from the fire.

Gloria suffered burns to her chest during the horrific incident, although it is only thanks to the bravery of Gloria’s 16-year-old son that she escaped serious harm. G loria’s son, Fred, knocked down the door that trapped his mother during the fire, which in turn saved her life. Following the fire, the Brown’s home was robbed, stripping the family of nearly all its valuables.

When Gloria and her family left the Terrace Circle projects, Gloria made a commitment to both herself and her children to make their neighborhood the best that it could be. Even in the wake of these terrible tragedies, Gloria and her children remain committed to this goal. The Brown family have become involved in a variety of creative outreach programs within the community. Gloria and her eldest daughter, Bobbi, host a local radio show, through which they serve as a positive voice to teens in the community. Gloria’s son, Fred, and her younger daughter, Janae, age 14, also help work on the radio show. At both their church and in the community center, Gloria and all of her children both participate in and teach youth and adults programs that teach individuals to express themselves through song, instrument and dance. Finally, Gloria has founded the Bridgeport annual community festival, which brings members of the community out of their homes and into the streets. Each year, this program turns strangers into friends and neighbors into family.

It has been almost a year since the fire struck the Brown’s home and their home is in desperate need of major repair. The Brown family has become a pillar of their community and their neighborhood. Despite their numerous struggles, the Browns continue to give to others with conviction, passion and love.