Hidden Gems: Meet Alisha Brown of A Greater Love

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alisha Brown.

Hi Alisha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Certainly! My journey to founding and leading “A Greater Love, LLC” is deeply rooted in a family legacy of education, care, and advocacy. My great-grandmother, grandmother, and her sisters were all teachers, with my grandmother later transitioning to open a childcare center. This center, founded on principles of inclusivity and community service, operated successfully for over 33 years. Growing up with such a powerful example, I was naturally inclined towards nurturing and helping others.

As a nurse, I found fulfillment in caring for others but eventually felt a need for a change. This led me to the world of therapeutic foster care, where I discovered a deep connection with the children. Despite the challenges, I knew this was my calling. My husband and I fostered for seven years, and during this time, I observed firsthand the systemic issues within private foster care agencies, particularly affecting foster parents of color and those from the LGBTQ+ community. This realization was my call to action.

“A Greater Love, LLC” was born out of a desire to address these gaps and provide a more inclusive, supportive environment for both foster children and parents. We focused on wrap-around services, emphasizing the belief that those who are cared for can provide the best care.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The situation we faced with the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) was both sudden and challenging. As we were in the process of being onboarded as an agency, an unexpected hurdle arose. An established agency complained to us, alleging that we had copied their mission statement and a job description.

This accusation, however, was not subjected to a thorough investigation. Despite the lack of substantial evidence or a detailed inquiry into the matter, the DCS provider network made a swift decision to rescind their invitation for us to join as an agency. This decision was communicated to “A Greater Love, LLC” without a clear explanation or an opportunity for us to appeal or present our case.

This abrupt action by DCS resulted in a significant financial setback for our organization. To seek justice and clarity, we filed a complaint in the chancery court. However, the response from the state’s attorney revealed a disheartening reality: DCS operates as its governing entity, and the courts have limited influence over their decisions regarding agency acceptance. This stance by the legal system was unexpected and, from our perspective, quite unreasonable.

The rapidity of DCS’s action, based on the complaint about our mission statement and job descriptions, was particularly striking. The decision to withdraw our agency status came less than 24 hours after the complaint was made, leaving us with little room to understand or counter the allegations.

This experience has highlighted the vulnerabilities within the system and the need for a more transparent and fair process, especially for organizations earnestly working to contribute positively to the foster care system. It’s a situation that not only impacts “A Greater Love, LLC” but also sets a concerning precedent for other emerging agencies in the field.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
A Greater Love, LLC” (AGL) is an organization deeply rooted in a legacy of care, advocacy, and inclusivity. Founded in Nashville, TN, our mission is to provide comprehensive support and services to two key demographics: adults with disabilities and children in the foster care system.

**Our Specializations and Offerings**

AGL specializes in offering wrap-around services, which are designed to provide holistic support. For adults with disabilities, we focus on creating a loving, safe, and enjoyable home environment through our residential services. These services are guided by our belief in the dignity of risk and the right of every individual to experience a full life, including work, hobbies, social connections, and having their needs met.

In the realm of foster care, although currently on hold due to administrative challenges, our goal is to provide inclusive and supportive environments for foster children and their caregivers. We aim to address systemic issues and advocate for foster parents, particularly those of color and from the LGBTQ+ community, who have historically faced challenges within the system.

**What Sets Us Apart**

What distinguishes AGL is our foundational belief that “cared-for people give the best care.” This philosophy drives our approach to both adult residential services and foster care. We emphasize equity, inclusion, and the dignity of risk as our operational pillars, ensuring that every individual we serve receives the respect, support, and opportunities they deserve.

**Our Brand and Pride**

Brand-wise, AGL is most proud of our commitment to advocacy and community impact. We are not driven by ambition for growth but by the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. Our organization is a testament to the legacy of caring and education passed down in my family, particularly inspired by my grandmother’s dedication to inclusive early childhood education.

**Engagement and Future Goals**

We want our readers to know that AGL is dedicated to being an active and impactful part of Nashville’s community-focused organizations. Despite facing challenges, such as our current situation with the foster care department, we are committed to overcoming these obstacles and continuing our mission. We envision AGL as a resource center and a beacon of hope and support for those looking to make a positive impact in their community.

Our immediate focus is on reinstating our foster care services and excelling in our adult residential services. We are also working towards gaining accreditations like COA and CQL to maintain a higher standard level of care. We continuously seek feedback from those we serve to ensure our services are effective and responsive to the needs of our community.

In conclusion, A Greater Love, LLC is more than an organization; it’s a movement towards a more inclusive, caring, and supportive society, where every individual, regardless of their background or abilities, is valued and empowered to live a fulfilling life.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting.
Starting your venture, especially in human services, is quite a ride – I can tell you that from my journey with “A Greater Love, LLC” (AGL). Here are some friendly tips that I’ve picked up along the way, things I wish someone had told me when I was just starting:

1. **Get the Lay of the Land:** It’s super important to get a handle on all the legal stuff and the way things work politically in your industry. Trust me, this comes in handy big time. We learned this the hard way with AGL when dealing with the foster care system.

2. **Quality and Integrity are Key:** Focus on being the best at what you do and stay true to your mission. This has always been our goal at AGL, no matter the bumps in the road.

3. **Expect Some Pushback:** Not everyone’s going to be on board with what you’re doing, and that’s okay. Prepare for some resistance and learn to roll with the punches.

4. **Build Your Tribe:** Connect with people and organizations that get what you’re trying to do. They can be a huge help. But heads up, not everyone’s going to be eager to join hands.

5. **Listen and Learn:** Always keep an ear to the ground. Feedback from the folks you’re serving is like gold. It’s something we value at AGL.

6. **Stick to Your Guns:** Challenges? Yep, you’ll have them. But keep your eye on why you started all this in the first place.

7. **Be Nimble:** Be ready to change things up as you go. Needs change, situations change – so being flexible is a big plus.

8. **Take Care of Yourself:** Running an org can be super demanding. Don’t forget to take some time for yourself too.

9. **Celebrate the Little Things:** Got a win? Celebrate it, no matter how small. It keeps the spirits up.

10. **Every Day’s a School Day:** Everything’s a learning opportunity – the good, the bad, all of it. It’s all part of the journey.

Looking back, knowing more about the nitty-gritty of the political and legal side of things would have been a huge help. But hey, we live and we learn, and that’s what’s made AGL what it is today.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.agreaterlovetn.com
• Instagram: @alishanbrown
• Facebook: Alisha Brown

Image Credits
Jessica McIntosh Photography