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Good Tidings Podcast S3E24: Willie L. Brown Jr.

Posted on August 3, 2022


 

Welcome to the Good Tidings Podcast with host Larry Harper, Founder of the Good Tidings Foundation. This podcast is all about highlighting the good in people and what individuals are doing to make an impact in this world for the benefit of others, while aiming to inspire a community of givers! On today’s episode, Larry interviews Willie L. Brown Jr.

Larry and Willie first met 23 years ago when Willie was in the middle of his 8 year run as the Mayor of San Francisco. In his speech that day at a GT Basketball Court Dedication, Willie revealed that he was Nate Thurmond’s first agent. Nate became the first spokesperson for the Good Tidings Foundation. Back then, Willie shares, there were only 6 other black lawyers in San Francisco and he mostly practiced criminal defense.

Willie was born in a small, segregated town in east Texas. He and his sisters all shared the goal of not only finishing high school, but earning a college degree. Within the first month of his scholarship at an all-black college, he was kicked out of the school. Ashamed, his mother sent him to live with an uncle in San Francisco. He quickly learned about the culture of the city and how to navigate it for himself. Growing up, Willie’s uncle was his most inspirational figure. As life unfolded for him politically, his biggest inspiration became the congressman Phil Burton. At every level of politics in California, Phil created the process by which diversity reflected itself. He was not only an inspiration to Willie, but to the entire political system, and serves as the foundation of Willie’s political success. Once Willie became mayor, he ensured the underrepresented communities became part of his staff.

Willie’s law practice became the basis for his political work, and he shares that politics is a very financially unsustainable field to remain in.  In his opinion, politics is more of an art form than a science as it is laced with entertainment and marketing. The Good Tidings Foundation was able to debut almost 12 facilities during Willie’s time as mayor. It is Willie’s hope that every successor of his understands the need to make sure the system does not get in the way of people trying to do good things. Rules and regulations have no application for those trying to make sure our children and grandchildren have access to key components of life that they may only have access to if they can afford it. A high priority of Willie’s election was to empower and give opportunity to poorer communities. Now, Willie works daily  at the Institute for Public Service which he Founded.

Links:

Learn more about Willie Brown Jr.

Learn more about the Good Tidings Foundation.