About Us
Facilitating courageous conversations and transformative change through equity-centered leadership and education.
Mission
Fig Leaves and Thorns is committed to educational advancement and transformative practices that create and sustain inclusive spaces. We partner with organizations to dismantle harmful practices and build equitable environments through strategic consulting, leadership development, and culturally responsive strategies. We specialize in facilitating courageous conversations on race, equity, and justice helping K-12 educators, executives, and community leaders move beyond theory to meaningful practice. Our work addresses sophisticated racism, juvenile justice, educational equity, and the practical application of equity frameworks in real world settings.
Meet Dr. Irvin M Brown
Lead Consultant
Dr. Irvin Brown is a U.S. Navy veteran, educator, policy leader, and community advocate dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across organizations and public institutions. Born and raised in Louisiana, Irvin learned the value of hard work and lifelong learning from an early age a foundation that continues to guide his mission today.
After serving aboard the U.S.S. New Orleans and later with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps as a Paralegal and Aviation Warfare Specialist, Irvin earned his B.A. from Eastern University and M.Ed. from Lewis & Clark College. He went on to make history as the first African American to earn a Doctorate in Education from the University of Portland.
Throughout his career, Dr. Brown has held influential positions including Legislative Director for Representative Janelle Bynum, State DEI Coordinator for the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, and Policy Advisor for the Department of Human Resources focusing on education, homelessness, and behavioral health.
Areas of Expertise
RACE & JUSTICE • Navigating sophisticated racism • Critical Race Theory vs. practical application • Juvenile justice reform and advocacy • Engaging priority populations
LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT • Executive coaching with equity lens • Leadership team development • Organizational culture transformation • Change management strategies
POLICY & FISCAL ANALYSIS • Equity-centered policy review and development • Budget analysis through equity framework • Legislative strategy and advocacy • Public sector consulting
CAREER DEVELOPMENT • Apprenticeship program guidance • College and career planning • Professional advancement coaching • Workforce development strategies
K-12 EDUCATION EQUITY • Science of Reading instruction strategies • Culturally responsive pedagogy • Educational policy and reform • Administrator and teacher professional development
Our Approach
EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Building knowledge and capacity within your team through evidence-based training, workshops, and ongoing learning opportunities.
TRANSFORMATIVE PRACTICES
Moving beyond compliance and performative diversity to create genuine cultural shifts that center equity in decision-making and daily operations.
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
Creating systems, policies, and accountability structures that maintain equity long-term, even as leadership and circumstances change.
IDENTITY AWARENESS
Centering empathy, understanding, and authentic human connection in every interaction—recognizing that equity work is fundamentally about people.
Who We Partner With
We work with organizations nationwide both virtually and in-person including:
- K-12 School Districts & Educational Institutions
- College and University Systems
- Government Agencies & Public Institutions
- Executive Teams & Business Leaders
- Nonprofit & Community Organizations
- Law Enforcement & First Responders
- Healthcare Organizations
From single workshops to long-term strategic partnerships, we tailor our approach to meet each organization’s unique context, challenges, and goals.
Our Commitment to You
Our Approach
At Fig Leaves and Thorns, we understand that equity work is complex, ongoing, and deeply personal. We commit to:
- Meeting you where you are—without judgment, with genuine partnership
- Facilitating courageous conversations that address real challenges
- Providing practical, actionable strategies—not just theory
- Building your internal capacity to sustain the work long-term
- Maintaining confidentiality and creating safe spaces for growth
- Challenging systems and practices—while supporting the people within them
- Centering the voices and experiences of those most impacted
- Delivering personable, responsive service from initial contact through implementation
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every engagement is customized to your organization’s specific needs, culture, and goals.
What Makes Us Different
Dr. Brown's unique combination of experiences sets Fig Leaves and Thorns apart:
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
Decades of hands on work in education, policy, military service, and community leadership not just academic theory.
SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE
Deep knowledge in areas that matter most: K-12 education equity, juvenile justice, sophisticated racism, and practical DEI implementation.
AUTHENTIC APPROACH
No automated scheduling, no cookie-cutter solutions. Every client receives personable, direct engagement from Dr. Brown himself.
PROVEN TRACK RECORD
From legislative work to state level DEI coordination to community leadership a history of creating meaningful change in complex systems.
COMMITMENT TO ACTION
Focus on moving from conversation to implementation, from intention to measurable impact.