Faces of Midland: Lamont Brown
Faces of Midland is a collaborative storytelling project celebrating the vibrant lives of those who live, work, and thrive in Midland.
Connecting with Laughter, Legacy, and Sweet Potato Pie
Lamont Brown builds community
By Trisha Fenby
Photo by Renee’ Deckrow, Captured Studio
“West Philadelphia, born and raised…”. The theme song to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air danced in my head as Lamont Brown flashed his dazzling smile. Sensing exactly where my mind had wandered, he grinned, “I am living the Fresh Prince Life. This is my Bel-Air”
He was referring to Midland, where he moved shortly after graduating from high school. He was the only child in his family to graduate, and while proud of his own accomplishment, Lamont also recognized that it was a statement to a struggling childhood.
Lamont never intended to stay in Midland, but life had other plans. He came here to meet a girl he was communicating with in an online dating forum. While it was a bit of a culture shock- a much slower pace than Philadelphia – he never left. Sometimes the unplanned events make the best life stories.
Even though the culture was different from Philadelphia, Lamont never felt out of place as a minority in Midland. He explains, “It's how you carry yourself, that comes back in the interactions with others.”
This way that he carries himself has been a guiding force in all aspects of his life. When he first arrived, he found himself working different jobs, not always enjoyable ones, but jobs that paid the bills. One job ended abruptly after a serious car accident just before Lamont qualified for health insurance. While recovering, a conversation with a close friend led to a job at Head Start, thanks to a teacher named Sue McLean (also known as his midland MOM) who saw his potential with kids. That moment sparked a lifelong passion.
He thrived in this role, and his reputation opened doors for advancement. Lamont was hired by the Midland County Educational Service Agency (ESA), as a paraprofessional. Today, he is celebrating 22 years with the ESA, in a role that was crafted specifically for him. As a behavioral support paraprofessional he spends his days coaching paraprofessionals and supporting teachers across Midland County.
“Seeing those kids that were struggling make large strides was something that brought me joy. It was great to be able to help those kids”. Lamont shared.
Maybe it was a reflection of his own childhood. He’s stuttered most of his life and still wrestles with it. While it weighs on him at times, he has learned to pre-warn others, and faces it with courage, grace, and sometimes humor.
Humor became a bridge, especially in environments where he’s had to navigate cultural misunderstandings or emotional weight. And Lamont learned to use it as a tool. Whether de-escalating a child in a classroom or coping with personal challenges, he’s known for bringing laughter into tense moments.
Lamont’s work experience, along with his own upbringing, have been a big influence on raising his children. He focuses on providing them with the love and stability he never had. Lamont’s wife is white, and their children are biracial. Living far from his hometown, he had to find creative ways to pass down traditions, flavors, and the stories that shaped him, helping to connect them to their Black heritage. In this family, cultural contrasts are evident. For instance, in Philly, holidays were spontaneous, soulful, and full of flavor. But here, they are more structured. He recalls his first Thanksgiving, “Everything was pumpkin pie.” Lamont chose to take a Sweet Potato Pie to a celebration at Head Start and it blew everyone away. Now, he bakes and sells them each holiday season, lovingly referred to as “the pie guy”. What appears to be a delicious dessert to many is so much more to Lamont, it’s a symbol of his heritage, a taste of home.
Lamont smiles, thinking back to those early days at Head Start, then he pulled out a piece of paper. It was a written evaluation that he just received at work. It validates the depth of Lamont’s passion, “Where Lamont goes, he is well received. He meets people where they are—with empathy, calm, and encouragement. Never dismissive, never judgmental. A natural educator.”
Lamont came here on a whim, but found a place where he belonged, not a mansion like the Fresh Prince, but in classrooms and the hearts of those he’s touched throughout the community.