Junior Nylan Brown is a football player for Ben Davis. As February is black history month, Brown discussed his feelings and experiences as a young black man.

What are you most passionate about?
“I am most passionate about reaching out to encourage other individuals. Being able to lift someone else up during hard times or struggles is the most confidence-boosting thing for me. Being a part of people’s progress on things I taught or helping guide them warms my heart. I love seeing others succeed and smile on their face.”
What are your plans after high school?
“After high school, I plan on attending a university to study exercise science and minor in finance while playing college football. This when then lead to me to internships to possibly become a future strength coach or to run my own strength and conditioning business.“
What are your biggest achievements in life so far?
“My biggest achievements in life so far are being brought up in a community that loves who I am, being able to get my college paid for because my parents and coaches pushing me to be the best version of myself. Being able to coach the youth and make a difference in their life.”

What was your life like growing up?

“Growing up it was different because my life was like a TV show with 2 seasons. During the first season, I grew up in Michigan where I was mostly raised by my mother and her side of the family. I would visit my dad in Detroit because he had a cooking job that required a lot of his time. But he would always call my mother and me at night and come visit us when he could. It was great growing up in Michigan because it was so comfortable. Really cold winters and super hot summers. I always enjoyed being around my family and cousins. With my mom raising me she taught me how to grow up and be mature at a young age. She has taught me so many great habits and ways to be responsible for myself. She is also the main reason why we live in Indiana now which then begins season 2. She had gotten a promotion which required her to move states and basically start a new life on her own. We moved to Indianapolis in February 2015. I started schooling in Avon where I learned being a black young man holds greater meaning. It was hard being one of the only few colored kids in my new elementary. My 3rd-grade teacher (I won’t disclose her name) was very rude to me but at a young age I thought it was because I was doing something wrong but in reality, it was because of the color of my skin. She would critique me on things the same thing that other kids were doing but wouldn’t say anything to them. I didn’t know how to speak up for myself but I learned as I grew up that it’s always going to be like this.”
Have you ever felt uncomfortable in your own skin?
“Yes I have and it was in middle school. Many people subjected me to be so great at athletic ability things just because I was black and they would say that. I would question who I am and what my worth was because am I just an athlete? Am I just another black kid who is strong, runs fast, and jumps high?”
Have you ever been discriminated against?
“No.”
What is it like being a young black man in 2023?
“It’s very hard because everyone wants to see me fail. They want to see me get thrown under the bus and get constantly run over. People see me as another statistic just trying to get pushed through the system. But I hold myself to a higher standard so people can’t weigh me down.”
How has being black affected your athletic career?
“Being black has affected my athletic career in a very positive way. But also when it comes to my sports I believe coaches actually look for black athletes because of our high values. We are more than what people see on the outside until they actually get to know us.”
How do you feel about the modern-day young black men stereotypes?
“I feel very self-conscious about them because it affects the way I think and carries myself on a day-to-day basis. It’s also unfair to the black men like I who try our best to be our best respectful selves but people’s perspectives seem to never change.”
What is your advice to the black students under you?
“My advice to all the black kings and queens under me is to always know who YOU are. Don’t let the internet or social media influence the way you act because it’s all fake. Nobody can ever change your character or take away knowledge so focus on evolving those. Always soak up any information like a sponge because, in reality, nobody wants to see us succeed. God will always guide you to people that want success for you. Stay strong my Black kings and queens. Big Ocho.”