Youth Development Professional Candice Brown – Turning Sparks into Purpose

“There’s no such thing as a bad kid. Every young person deserves the opportunity to live their dream—no matter where they come from or what they’ve been through.” 

This belief has been the compass guiding Candice Brown's journey—from growing up inspired by her grandmother, an English teacher, to pursuing her own passions centered around youth impact, equity, and transformation. Currently working toward her Bachelor of Arts in Strategic, Legal, and Management Communications at Howard University, Candice brings both professional skill and deep heart to her role as a Lead Youth Development Coordinator with Boys & Girls Clubs at Howard Community College. 

At the core of her work is a simple yet powerful idea: dreams matter—and every young person should have someone in their corner reminding them of that. 

The spark for Candice was lit early. “My grandmother taught me that the words we say—and how we say them—can speak life into a child,” Candice shares. “I saw how even her most ‘troublesome’ students weren’t bad kids. They just needed someone to believe in them.” 

That philosophy has stayed with her ever since, guiding a professional journey that began at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento as a Youth Development Coordinator. From there, she served as a Deputy Clerk with the Sacramento Superior Court and continued supporting youth through programming and partnerships designed to help teens in the juvenile justice system see new possibilities for their lives. 

“I loved seeing the turnaround—the light in their eyes when they realized they had options,” she says. 

After relocating to Maryland, the opportunity to continue that mission through BGCMB felt like a perfect fit within our newly opened Club at Howard Community College (HCC). Being located on a college campus gives our youth daily exposure to higher education and helps normalize the idea that continued learning is within reach—making it easier for them to imagine themselves there one day.  

Candice blends creativity, communication savvy, and a passion for programming to help youth find purpose and joy after school. A big part of that purpose? Helping young people develop the character and leadership skills they need to turn passion into possibility. 

“We’re not just encouraging kids to dream ... we’re giving them the tools to lead,” Candice explains. “When a young person discovers their voice, builds confidence, and learns how to lead with character, they’re unstoppable. That’s success. Not just for them, but for the communities they’re going to impact.” 

Candice recently served as MC for the BGCMB 2025 Youth of the Year Competition at Access Holdings

Creating impact starts with relationships, and Candice is intentional about every interaction. “Every day, I ask: How are you doing? Tell me something good that happened today. I want to spark joy because that’s where the connection begins.” 

From a youth exploring the Navy after a conversation over a game of Battleship, to teens expressing themselves through songwriting or bracelet-making, Candice believes in feeding the spark. “When they share a passion, it’s my job to help them grow it. That’s when they start to believe they matter.” 

At BGCMB, the power of consistent, mission-driven staff is what sets the Club apart. “When youth have someone who shows up for them every day, who’s invested in more than just doing a job—that’s when transformation happens,” Candice says. “We have a culture that cares at every level of our organization.” 

That consistency is critical. “Even if a staff member moves on or moves up, the young person is still in a supported space, surrounded by people who care. That’s how we create lasting impact.” 

From a “Self-Love Day” dreamed up by staff at the Leonards Lane Club in Cambridge to region-wide community partnerships like the Brent Faiyaz holiday celebration, Candice sees creativity and collaboration as core strengths of BGCMB. 

“We’re not just checking boxes—we’re creating programs that change lives,” she shares. “Character and leadership development are central to that. Our job is to build spaces where youth can be seen, supported, and inspired to lead—because we know that strong leaders come from confident, compassionate kids.” 

What makes BGCMB different? “We’re not just a place to do homework after school. We’re a place that shows young people they’re valuable. That they belong. That they can dream—and do something about it.” For all of us at BGCMB, our core values are more than words on a wall—they’re the foundation of how we show up every day.