Trusted By Leading Organizations
Building Equity Through Action
Meet Dr. Irvin M Brown
Lead Consultant
Dr. Irvin Brown is a U.S. Navy veteran, educator, and policy leader dedicated to facilitating courageous conversations on race, equity, and justice. As the first African American to earn a Doctorate in Education from the University of Portland, he brings decades of experience helping K-12 administrators, educators, executives, and community leaders create and utilize an equity lens in their work.
Through public speaking, workshops, and strategic consulting, Dr. Brown helps organizations move beyond theory to meaningful practice addressing sophisticated racism, juvenile justice, educational equity, and transformative leadership nationwide.
How Can We Help?
Public Speaking & Leadership Coaching
Keynote presentations and executive coaching that inspire leaders to champion equity with confidence. Build the skills to facilitate difficult conversations and lead with an authentic equity lens.
Training & Workshops
Engaging sessions on navigating sophisticated racism, Critical Race Theory vs. Practice, the Science of Reading, juvenile justice advocacy, and engaging priority populations. Available in half-day, full-day, or multi-session formats virtual or in-person.
DEI Strategy Development
Comprehensive roadmaps that move your organization from intention to action. We conduct equity audits, engage stakeholders, and create measurable frameworks with built-in accountability.
Policy Review & Development
Ensure your policies reflect equity values and dismantle systemic barriers. From comprehensive reviews to developing new equity-centered policies with implementation training.
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Career Planning Support
Empower individuals with guidance on apprenticeships, college preparation, resume development, and professional advancement—especially for those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Budget Review & Fiscal Analysis
Apply an equity lens to resource allocation and budgeting. Ensure your funding priorities reflect your commitment to fairness and community impact. color code #eeffef
Teacher & Education
Empowerment Seminars for Educators DESCRIPTION: Professional development that builds confidence, culturally responsive practices, and resilience for K-12 teachers, administrators, and instructional staff.
Ongoing Advisory Services
Long-term strategic partnership tailored to your evolving needs. "How can I best help you?" Regular consultations, real-time guidance, and sustained support for continuous improvement.
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Featured Workshop Topics
Dr. Brown delivers powerful, evidence-based sessions on the topics that matter most:
Navigating Through Sophisticated Racism
Understanding and addressing the subtle, systemic ways racism manifests in modern institutions.
The Science of Reading (K-12 Focus)
Evidence-based literacy instruction strategies that close achievement gaps.
Critical Race Theory vs. Practice
Clarifying misconceptions and exploring practical applications of equity frameworks.
Engaging Priority Populations
Meaningful strategies for connecting with historically marginalized communities.
The Science of Reading (K-12 Focus)
Evidence-based literacy instruction strategies that close achievement gaps.
Why Work With Fig Leaves and Thorns
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Dr. Brown’s unique background combining military service, education leadership, policy work, and community advocacy brings practical insight rooted in real-world experience. Our approach examines your organization from every angle: leadership, culture, systems, and individual experiences.
We’re committed to creating transformative change that goes beyond compliance or surface-level diversity initiatives. Whether you need a single powerful keynote or a long-term strategic partnership, we meet you where you are and guide you toward sustainable equity.
Equity isn't just our field of work it's the lens through which we view leadership, education, and progress
How We Work With You
In-Person
Available nationwide for workshops, speaking engagements, and on-site consultations.
Virtual
Full range of services delivered online for accessibility and convenience.
Hybrid
Combine in-person and virtual sessions to maximize reach and flexibility.
Who We Partner With
We work with organizations across the nation, including:
K-12 School Districts & Administrators
College Professors & Higher Education
Executive Teams & Business Leaders
Government Agencies & Public Institutions
Nonprofits & Community Organizations
Law Enforcement & First Responders
Healthcare Organizations
Ready to Create Lasting Change?
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of organizations do you work with?
We partner with K-12 school districts, colleges and universities, government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, law enforcement, and private sector companies nationwide. Whether you’re just beginning your equity journey or deepening existing efforts, we tailor our approach to your organization’s unique context and goals.
What services does Fig Leaves and Thorns offer?
Our services include public speaking and leadership coaching, training and workshops (on topics like sophisticated racism, juvenile justice, and the Science of Reading), DEI strategy development, policy review and development, career planning support, budget and fiscal analysis through an equity lens, empowerment seminars for educators, and ongoing advisory services
Do you offer virtual consulting?
Yes! All of our services are available both virtually and in-person. We provide flexibility to meet your organization’s needs and preferences, whether that’s a single virtual workshop, an in-person keynote, or a hybrid consulting engagement.
What makes your approach different?
Dr. Brown brings a unique combination of military service, educational leadership, policy expertise, and community advocacy. His approach focuses on facilitating courageous conversations and moving beyond theory to practice. We examine equity from multiple perspectives—individual, organizational, and systemic—to create sustainable change rather than one-time interventions.
How do I get started?
Simply reach out via phone or email for a personable conversation about your goals and challenges. We’ll discuss your specific needs and provide a custom proposal. There’s no automated scheduling we believe in building genuine connections from the very first interaction.
What are your most requested workshop topics?
Our most popular sessions include “Navigating Through Sophisticated Racism,” “Critical Race Theory vs. Practice,” “The Science of Reading” (K-12 focus), “Engaging Priority Populations,” and “Understanding Juvenile Justice and Advocacy for Young People.” All workshops can be customized to your organization’s specific needs.
How is pricing determined?
We provide custom quotes based on the scope of your project, format (in-person vs. virtual), duration, and specific needs. After our initial conversation, we’ll present a tailored proposal that aligns with your budget and objectives.
How long does a typical engagement last?
Engagement length varies widely based on your goals. We offer single keynote presentations, half-day or full-day workshops, multi-session training series, and long-term consulting partnerships spanning several months to a year. During our initial conversation, we’ll recommend a timeline that fits your capacity and desired outcomes.