Today we’d like to introduce you to RuQuan Brown.
Hi RuQuan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Seattle, Washington, and I grew up in the hood where I saw a lot. I have seen a lot of crime, a lot of fights, a lot of illegal activity. However, I spent a lot of time in the barbershop, where I was able to surround myself with a lot of entrepreneurs. I loved the environment because I was able to see cash flow, men owning and running a business, and men with independence.
At the age of five, I moved to Dallas (DeSoto); I moved out of the hood into a suburb and was able to experience a new environment. I was able to experience “successful Black people,” which was rare to see outside of the barbershops in Seattle. I was around Black people who could afford a mortgage, work at a corporate job, own multiple vehicles, etc. I was surrounded by Black excellence, and that encouraged me to know that my capabilities are unlimited. Eventually, I was introduced to Deion Sanders’ Youth Football Team where I would learn the core acronym of my life, T.R.U.T.H. (T)rust in God, (R)espect myself and others, (U)understand that I have unlimited possibilities, (T)ry my best to never give up, and (H)onor myself and the TRUTH creed at all times. Later on, I moved to Washington, DC, attended Howard Middle School of Mathematics and Science and was able to continue to bask in the excellence of my people; that put the cherry on top of being able to see the young man that I am today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not always been smooth. I have experienced a lot throughout my 19 years. However, the biggest struggles have been the people that I trust telling me that I should not be who I truly am. My high school counselor told me that I could not get into Harvard, my high school principal told me to focus on school instead of starting my business, Love1, and my high school track coach told me to focus on track. These are people that I trusted and relied on to help me be my best self, and they tried to limit my greatness.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a servant athlete and activist. I run a company, Love1, that sells clothes and accessories to raise money to donate to families and communities impacted by gun violence. I also started a nonprofit, Love100, to teach Black students how to handle and earn money. As an entrepreneur and activist, I travel the country to speak to students and affirm that who they are is enough to be who they desire to be. Additionally, I am a college football player who enjoys team-building and competition. I stand out from others because I am heavily involved in my community and enjoy serving others; my activism includes action. Lastly, I am most proud of how my siblings admire me because being a great role model to them is critical to me.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with me by reaching out on social media platforms, @ruthatruth, and offering their services. People can follow the same process if they are interested in collaboration; ensure to mention how we can best work together and any ideas that you may have. For support, people can purchase items from my company’s website, Love1biz.com, to allow us to continue to assist others impacted by gun violence.
Contact Info:
- Email: Ruquanbrown05@gmail.com
- Website: Love1biz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthatruth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GETRITESWAGGAYE
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ruthatruth
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClSVAuOuWQyjfA4oGTZoUhw
- Other: https://www.ruquanbrown.com/
Image Credits
Stephanie Sinclair
