On August 9, 2014, Michael Brown, Jr. was brutally murdered by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. His untimely death shook America to its core, causing pivotal shifts within the Black community that ignited community organizations and change agents to fight for the injustice black people face against police brutality.
Michael Brown, Sr. decided to turn his pain into purpose by creating the “Chosen For Change Foundation” which was born in loving memory of Michael Brown, Jr. Grief isn’t a linear process; but with the help of his wife Cal Brown, they have been able to provide community support, outreach programs, activities, and events that are responsive, reflective, and holistic for families affected by, or at risk of becoming and/or experiencing grief resulting from the loss of a child due to a tragic unforeseen circumstance.
Michael and Cal Brown
Discover the inspiring journey of Michael and Cal Brown, founders of Chosen for Change, as they transform tragedy into advocacy in honor of Michael Brown Jr. This PBS documentary showcases their resilience and commitment to creating positive change.
Our mission is to provide holistic grief counseling and support to fathers and families who are processing the unthinkable.
We are transforming lives, transforming communities. We do this through coping, healing, and reinventing ourselves.
Michael Brown, Sr. is a husband, father, transformative public speaker, forgiveness coach, and co-founder of the Michael Brown Sr. Chosen for Change Organization. After the devastating murder of his son Mike Brown, Jr.. in 2014, he embarked on a mission to proivde care and support to families processing unthinkable loss. Turning his pain in to power, Michael has dedicated his life to transforming inner-city communities through youth empowerment and strengthening mournful families through collective healing.
Michael is especially committed to offering radical aid to ailing fathers because their experiences of parental grief are often minimized and discounted by society. Toward this effort, he convenes the organization’s Chosen Fathers program to provide a compassionate gathering space for fathers who have lost children to violence.
MICHAEL BROWN, SR.
Cal D. Brown is a wife, mother, community healer, change agent, and co-founder of the Michael Brown Sr. Chosen for Change Organization. She is a passionate advocate for families across the world grieving the loss of a child to violence.
A firm believer that community care can help parents cope, heal, and reinvent themselves after a tragic loss, she co-leads grief support circles, resource drives, advocacy campaigns, and youth mentoring programs. These initiatives strengthen heartbroken families and build safer environments for marginalized youth to live freely.