NMU Trustee Profile: Venus Joy Brown

Venus Joy Brown describes herself as "a connector who helps people be better, do better and perform better." This quality contributed to her recognition as one of nine "Sisters with Superpowers" by rollingout.com two years ago. It is also a guiding mantra for her career in organizational effectiveness and leadership development, her community service, and her role as a Northern Michigan University trustee.

"That's always the end goal for me: How do I help someone develop? How do I help them use what they already have and get to where they want to be?" said Brown, who has been a thoughtful and energetic presence on the board since her term began on Jan. 1, 2025.

Brown's emphasis on growth is rooted in more than three decades of professional experience in leadership development, human resources and coaching. During an extended tenure with General Motors, she said she often facilitated training in environments where she was one of the few women-and often the only Black woman-in the room.

"I am a very strong proponent of giving voice to the voiceless or those who don't have a seat at the table," Brown added. "We tend to categorize such things as race, gender and age, but I remember an article by a University of Michigan scientist who said those account for only 5% of our differences, and that we're all 95% the same otherwise when you peel back the layers. Unfortunately, it's our focus on the 5% that creates 100% of the problems.

"I've taken that forward and choose to focus instead on the heart, to listen to what's not being said and to make that connection so we're just two people having a conversation or working on a project. Part of my goal is to ensure that spaces are created that give all individuals an opportunity to fully participate and have their voices heard."

Early in her career, Brown had a brief stint as a television news reporter. She said the experience sharpened her communication skills and instinct for listening closely and remembering details, which further enhances her "connector" capabilities.

"I retain these little nuggets from conversations and link them to opportunities later," she said. "For example, when I'm talking to someone about their goals, and they relate in some way to a previous conversation I had, I'll remember that and think, 'Oh, wait-this other person would be a great connection for that.'

Brown's strengths converge in her current positions as vice president of human resources, organizational effectiveness and employee experience for Assembly Global, and adjunct instructor of business at Henry Ford Community College. She also operates her own leadership and organizational development consulting firm, Joy Leads, a nod to both her upbeat middle name and her belief that joy should guide personal and professional endeavors.

"I used to just use my middle initial, but I changed to my full name so I can be reminded that we should leave every experience better than we found it through growth, connection and joy. From a development standpoint, we should also lead with joy. I'm very evidence-based; assessments, tools and feedback matter. But so does compassion and building confidence and competence. The most effective leaders create environments where trust is present and people feel safe enough to ask questions, make mistakes and grow. If people don't trust the space, they're holding back and not bringing their full selves to the conversation. Development doesn't happen that way."

As a trustee, Brown views her role as a bridge between NMU and downstate Michigan. Having spent most of her life in the Detroit area, she understands how little many prospective students and families there know about NMU.

"Northern is such a wonderful secret," said Brown, who holds a bachelor's in communication from Eastern Michigan and a master of education in instructional technology from Wayne State. "One of my goals is to help make NMU more visible to students who might benefit from its academic offerings, sense of community and outdoor experiences. There might be something for them here that they didn't even know was an option. I have been most impressed with the strong sense of community at Northern. I don't know if it's the environment or culture, but there's something special about how people support one another. I find that very endearing."

That feeling extends beyond campus to the Upper Peninsula. Brown admits that before her appointment, her idea of "up north" was limited to occasional trips to northern Lower Michigan. Regular visits to Marquette have changed that perspective.

"Every time I come up here, it feels new. I'm noticing the roads, the trees, the hills, the deer-it's beautiful. I can see why people love it here and understand why so many who grow up in the region choose to stay, and why those who leave often feel drawn back. There's a powerful pull. And I knew the U.P. was cold, but it's a different kind of cold!" she laughed.

Brown credits much of her perspective and leadership philosophy to the mentors who shaped her early life. Her mother, whom she lost in her early 20s, was her greatest inspiration. Brown said her mother's lessons around compassion, grace and giving people a voice cemented a very strong foundation and continues to guide her today. She also praised former middle school teacher Nsombe Famodou for "creating a powerful sense of community in the classroom and exposing students to leadership, collaboration and experiences far beyond their neighborhood."

Service has long been a cornerstone of Brown's life. She is president of the Southfield Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., which was founded in 1913 at Howard University and has swelled into one of the nation's largest professional women's organizations. Its mission is centered on sisterhood, scholarship, service and social action.

Brown's chapter includes more than 450 members serving 23 cities in southern Oakland County. Under her leadership, it has expanded outreach efforts to include large-scale public events like Community Vibe Fest, which provides free resources ranging from health and financial services to education and career opportunities. She said one recent event led to more than 30 students being admitted on the spot to Hampton University.

Brown is also deeply committed to participating in mission trips, including visits to several African nations. Those experiences, she says, have significantly shaped her worldview and strengthened her belief in the importance of understanding people and cultures beyond stereotypes and headlines.

"When I returned from my first trip to Africa, people asked me how it was. My response was, 'The whole trip lifted me to a higher level of consciousness.' That's the best way I can explain it. It sounds like a such a profound statement, but that's the truth. I was able to appreciate things so much more being on that 10-day mission trip."

Brown's love of travel extends to vacations from work. Her highlights have included swimming in a mud volcano in Colombia and visiting the pyramids in Egypt. At destinations both international or domestic, she intentionally immerses herself in local culture by visiting museums, libraries and neighborhood restaurants, or simply listening to conversations around her. Music and movement are also central to her joy. She enjoys concerts, dancing and trying new activities such as skiing and skating.

The youngest of five siblings, Brown stays closely connected to her siblings in the Detroit area, gathering often for holidays and monthly "foodie" outings with her sisters. She is also a devoted dog mom. Her current companions are Lyric, a Shih Tzu, and SAX, a Yorkie-poo-names that reflect her love of music. Before them, she had two Shih Tzus named Victory and Tryumph, intentionally chosen during a difficult period in her life.

"Words matter," Brown said. "When you're saying 'Victory' and 'Tryumph' several times a day, it becomes internalized. Those names became, for me, a way of affirming resilience and hope."

For Brown, intentionality-whether in leadership, service, seeking joy or naming beloved pets-contributes to her "superpower" capability as a connector who helps others be better, do better and perform better.

"That's not just a tagline," she emphasized. "That's how I live."