Dr. El Brown is a storyteller, thinker, teacher, and mother who transforms moments into movements. Through her signature Top Notch Village framework, she works with families, service providers, agencies, communities, and policymakers to create thriving ecosystems that support equitable education and life opportunities.

 

Dr. El’s solution-oriented nature led her to found KinderJam®, a play-based early education program that began as a way to share her observations about her son’s development with his service providers. This innovative approach quickly evolved into a military family support initiative, empowering families across 11 countries and 16 states. Its success earned Dr. El an invitation to the White House for Michelle Obama’s Joining Forces initiative and a feature on The Oprah Winfrey Show as the Army Spouse of the Year.

 

Her Top Notch Village philosophy is informed by her lived experience as the mother of a child on the autism spectrum. Her journey, from advocating for her son, who was nonverbal at nearly five years old, to celebrating him as a college-bound student, serves as a case study for her framework. She believes that a child’s village—the people, systems, and relationships that surround them—can transform lives.

 

With a PhD in Education with a research focus on Family and Community Engagement, Dr. El combines academic knowledge with real-world experience to inspire collaboration and resilience. Her mission is clear: to help build Top Notch Villages that foster connection and unlock potential for generations to come.

​

​​