Today in Wheeling History: October 10—Owens Brown, Wheeling resident, educator, civil rights advocate, and president of the West Virginia NAACP, was officially sworn into the West Virginia Senate, becoming the first African American man to serve in that chamber (2021).
Owens Brown is a longtime Wheeling community leader, civil rights advocate, educator, and public servant whose appointment to the West Virginia Senate marked a significant milestone in both state and local history. A resident of Wheeling for much of his life, Brown built his career around advancing educational opportunity, civil rights, and community development throughout the Ohio Valley. He earned an associate degree in electro/mechanical engineering from Belmont Technical College, a bachelor's degree in psychology from West Liberty State College (now West Liberty University), and a master's degree in agency counseling from West Virginia University.
Prior to entering the Senate, Brown worked with the West Virginia Education Association for 28 years, serving as an organizational development specialist and human and civil rights coordinator. His work focused on educational equity, professional development, and civil rights advocacy throughout West Virginia. In 2015, he was elected president of the West Virginia State Conference of the NAACP and became one of the state's most visible voices for civil rights and social justice. He also worked extensively with grassroots organizations, experiences he said helped prepare him for public service. Loretta Young later succeeded him as president of the West Virginia State Conference of the NAACP.
In 1983, Brown served as a Special Delegate for the United Nations in reviewing North American strategy concerning apartheid in South Africa, reflecting his involvement in civil rights issues beyond West Virginia. On October 7, 2021, Governor Jim Justice appointed Brown to represent the First Senatorial District after Senator William Ihlenfeld II resigned to become United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia. Senate President Craig Blair administered Brown's oath of office on October 10. Accompanied by family members and supporters, Brown became the first African American man and only the second Black individual to serve in the West Virginia Senate. Brown served the remainder of the unexpired term and sought election in 2022 but was defeated in the Democratic primary by former state delegate Randy Swartzmiller. Swartzmiller later lost the general election to Republican Laura Wakim Chapman, who succeeded Brown as the district's state senator.
To learn more: Wikipedia – Owens Brown (https://tinyurl.com/5as3t6mn), Ballotpedia – Owens Brown (https://tinyurl.com/bdd9ct8s), WTRF News – Owens Brown Senate Appointment (https://tinyurl.com/5zszft5b), West Liberty University – Alumni News (https://tinyurl.com/3eu8cwwv), Weelunk - “WEEAsked: Owens Brown, President of the West Virginia NAACP” (https://tinyurl.com/5n8nptdj)
Photo credits: West Virginia Legislative Photography, Ballotpedia
Owens Brown is a longtime Wheeling community leader, civil rights advocate, educator, and public servant whose appointment to the West Virginia Senate marked a significant milestone in both state and local history. A resident of Wheeling for much of his life, Brown built his career around advancing educational opportunity, civil rights, and community development throughout the Ohio Valley. He earned an associate degree in electro/mechanical engineering from Belmont Technical College, a bachelor's degree in psychology from West Liberty State College (now West Liberty University), and a master's degree in agency counseling from West Virginia University.
Prior to entering the Senate, Brown worked with the West Virginia Education Association for 28 years, serving as an organizational development specialist and human and civil rights coordinator. His work focused on educational equity, professional development, and civil rights advocacy throughout West Virginia. In 2015, he was elected president of the West Virginia State Conference of the NAACP and became one of the state's most visible voices for civil rights and social justice. He also worked extensively with grassroots organizations, experiences he said helped prepare him for public service. Loretta Young later succeeded him as president of the West Virginia State Conference of the NAACP.
In 1983, Brown served as a Special Delegate for the United Nations in reviewing North American strategy concerning apartheid in South Africa, reflecting his involvement in civil rights issues beyond West Virginia. On October 7, 2021, Governor Jim Justice appointed Brown to represent the First Senatorial District after Senator William Ihlenfeld II resigned to become United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia. Senate President Craig Blair administered Brown's oath of office on October 10. Accompanied by family members and supporters, Brown became the first African American man and only the second Black individual to serve in the West Virginia Senate. Brown served the remainder of the unexpired term and sought election in 2022 but was defeated in the Democratic primary by former state delegate Randy Swartzmiller. Swartzmiller later lost the general election to Republican Laura Wakim Chapman, who succeeded Brown as the district's state senator.
To learn more: Wikipedia – Owens Brown (https://tinyurl.com/5as3t6mn), Ballotpedia – Owens Brown (https://tinyurl.com/bdd9ct8s), WTRF News – Owens Brown Senate Appointment (https://tinyurl.com/5zszft5b), West Liberty University – Alumni News (https://tinyurl.com/3eu8cwwv), Weelunk - “WEEAsked: Owens Brown, President of the West Virginia NAACP” (https://tinyurl.com/5n8nptdj)
Photo credits: West Virginia Legislative Photography, Ballotpedia
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