A Conversation with Alexander Brown
A one-on-one conversation with the 19-year-old engineer of an up-and-coming environment protection bill and podcast host of The Root of All with Alexander Brown.
Alexander Brown has a vision for this country, and it starts with legislative action.
A student at Clemson University, majoring in political science, Alexander mentioned being “ecstatic” about his future and the future of our country during our lengthy interview. “My biggest hope is for our youth to become energized and ready to tackle the issues we face today,” he said as I asked him about being politically active at the age of 19. Youth engagement has been something he’s been pushing on his peers and friends for years, and he believes that his generation can change things. During our discussion about youth leadership, he quoted Vice President Kamala Harris by saying one of her notable quotes. “You’re never too young or too old to start being a leader, so when you get the opportunity, lead.” Speaking of Kamala, after finishing our discussion on youth engagement, I asked him about some of the things he’s done in the political arena. His response was nothing below impressive.
At only being nineteen years old, Alexander has worked on numerous campaigns (including Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign and Cory Booker’s presidential campaign), worked with members of the United States Congress on both sides of the aisle, and hosts a podcast named the Root of All with Alexander Brown. Being on the campaign trail with Senator Cory Booker is where Alexander said he realized “where his passion resided” and that he will always be thankful for Cory and his team for giving him that chance. “Seeing all of those people roar for Senator Booker in the audience inspired me. It inspired me to do more, see more, and achieve more, Alexander said. And more is what he did.
After the 2020 Democratic Presidential primary, he decided to work locally and wanted to do more for the communities around him. He worked for a small city government near him and even helped them come up with solutions for the COVID-19 crisis in its early stages. “COVID-19 altered our way of life within a week, and I knew people were going to be fearful of what was deemed as the unknown,” he said. “Moments of darkness are when leaders have to be the barrier of light,” he continued. As we continued to talk, I asked him what he did during most of his quarantine time. “I just took time to reflect and strategize my next moves post quarantine, and out of that came an increased amount of prayer and a podcast.” A podcast covering various topics ranging from politics to mental health, the Root of All with Alexander Brown has something for everyone. Alexander mentioned how his podcast’s main goal was to “uplift the voices” of his peers and start conversations that needed to happen.
After learning all about his history and growing resume, I wanted to dive right into the cause of our encounter; his provisionary bill titled the Brown Environmental Pact. In May 2019, Alexander was tasked by an instructor to create something that protects and defends the environment. Without a thought, Alexander wrote an environment protection resolution to combat urban and town sprawls. What at one point was a paper for a class is now being heard by members of Congress.
“I didn’t think much of the resolution until one of my good friends encouraged me to share it with local & federal officials; that’s where everything changed.”
His bill details a list of five provisions to slow down the effects of urban sprawls in heavily populated areas around the country.
About the Brown Environmental Pact: Volume 1
The first provision is about recyclization. It proposes an emphasis on in-state advertisement to promote recycling, allocating grants to small businesses in heavily populated areas to participate in the recycling effort, and a paycheck protection ordinance for waste and recycling workers during national inconveniences.
The second provision is about water filtration/inspection. When I asked Alexander about this provision, he mentioned the essential nature of water and how every American is entitled to clean water access. This provision proposes comprehensive water inspections for low-income areas and FDA-approved grants for water purification tablets for citizens.
The third provision is about the idea of infrastructure proximity (space). This provision proposes working closely with the Departments of Interior and Transportation to place new infrastructure strategically in proximal places to minimize the potential of urban sprawls.
The fourth provision is about the investment of increased public transportation. This provision proposes that commercial transportation companies increase on-ground public transport, funding for SMART streets, and ride-share app protections.
The last provision is about reinvigorating antique cities and towns. This provision proposes more housing task forces to combat housing inequities and piggybacks Congresswoman Lisa Rochester Blunt’s bill, HR 2126. This calls to authorize a grant program for developing and implementing housing supply and affordability plans for other purposes.
Reading this bill had me stunned that a 19-year-old could propose all of this, and I wasn’t the only one who felt this way. Alexander’s Congressman, Ralph Norman, also had the chance to review his provisionary bill and said, “Most social and political movements start not in the minds of lawmakers, but conscientious, motivated individuals like yourself (Alexander)”. During our interview, Alexander called Congressman Norman one of his “inspirations” for the bill and said that to this day, Congressman Norman doesn’t hesitate to help him with whatever he needs.
Alexander Brown is not only a force to be reckoned with, but he will be an essential proponent to the new wave of leadership we will see in the future. I do not doubt that I will see him addressing the nation in some capacity, leading the charge on many issues that people are afraid to touch. Leaders like Alexander will be the ones who we’ll most need in our days to come. On a whim, I asked Alexander, when confronted with a problem or a conflict, what is his first thought?
Alexander replied, “When confronted with a conflict, big or small, I handle it”.
Alexander’s Instagram Information
https://www.instagram.com/therealexanderbrown/
https://www.instagram.com/therootofallwithalexander/
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