Message from Sylvia Brown
On behalf of the entire Brown family, I want to thank you for
participating in the Brown Challenge and for supporting Baltimore’s growing
Orchkids program!
Eddie and I believe strongly in lifting communities. As African-Americans living in one of the nation’s major
metropolitan cities and a predominately African-American city, we feel that it’s important to set the bar high and to
demonstrate that everyone has a voice and plays a role in moving our community forward. Recent events have shown
that access isn’t equal but we are proud that we have many talented and dedicated Baltimoreans working hard to
change that through the implementation of innovative programs right here in our city.
Eddie and I feel strongly that OrchKids is one of these programs. OrchKids which works with children in Baltimore
City’s most underserved neighborhoods is a shining example of all we can do when we pull our resources together to
create change. Seeing what the program has been able to achieve and the difference that it has made in the lives of so
many Baltimore City school children has deeply moved us.
Our hope is that our gift inspires others throughout Baltimore to invest in this vital community resource that is
putting more of our children on the pathway to success. Thank you for joining this effort.
Best Wishes,
Sylvia Brown
Brown Challenge Events
Marin Alsop and Rep. Elijah
Cummings hosted the OrchKids
Brown Challenge Steering
Committee event to help kick off
the challenge grant in June, 2016
Gratitude from Marin
Thank you so much for investing in our students and helping us meet this ambitious goal of $100,000 in cash and
commitments in year one of the Brown Family Challenge.
When I moved to Baltimore 10 years ago, I fell in love with the city. Because of that love, I wanted to bring the power
of music to our students. Your support is helping OrchKids inspire students in underserved communities throughout
Baltimore and share all of the possibilities that are available to them. For this, I am truly grateful.
We were so honored last year when Eddie and Sylvia generously agreed to establish this matching gift. Their
commitment to our community and youth is an inspiration. Now that we’ve met the year one goal, it is clear we have
the community support that will ensure the program’s growth and expansion, allowing OrchKids to serve thousands
of additional students in our city.
Thank you so much for your leadership. You’ve paved the way for us to begin work on our year two success! I hope
you will encourage your friends to join us as we continue this journey together.
Best Regards,
Marin Alsop