Manatee County’s first African-American commissioner dies from COVID-19, family says
A historic figure in Manatee County died early Friday morning after a battle with COVID-19.
Former Manatee County Commissioner Gwendolyn Brown passed away from complications related to the coronavirus, Commissioner Carol Whitmore announced during a Board of County Commissioners meeting Friday afternoon.
Brown’s family asked Whitmore to share the news publicly.
“I’ve known her for many years through Commissioner Pat Glass — way before I was elected,” Whitmore said. “She was a very nice lady and very loyal to her friends.”
Brown, who was first elected to the board in 1994, was the county’s first African-American commissioner, county officials said. She served on the board until 2010.
“I’ve known Gwen Brown for a very long time and I know the heart she had for her community, so I extend condolences to her family,” Commissioner Betsy Benac said.
“Commissioner Gwen Brown was a giant and trailblazer in Manatee County, and I’m honored to stand on her shoulders,” Commissioner Reggie Bellamy, the only African-American commissioner currently serving on the board, said in a statement. “A towering figure has left us, and her presence and leadership will be deeply missed.”
State Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, took to Twitter Friday afternoon to express his condolences, as well.
“Commissioner Brown served Manatee County with such distinction. Dr. Brown was a trailblazer being the first African-American Manatee County commissioner. I was honored to know her and will miss her. My prayers are with her family during this difficult time.”
Brown, who turned 68 in December, also served as the board’s first African-American chairperson in 2010. Even before serving on Manatee’s board, she was known as a strong advocate for the community.
She worked with the NAACP and was also on the advisory board for then-Lincoln Middle School. In 1988, Brown helped lead an effort to convert the county’s board seats into five single-member districts with two at-large commissioners. It’s a system the county still uses today.
Brown earned her bachelor’s degree in education at Florida Atlantic University in 1974 and her master’s degree in administration from Nova University in 1981. She went on to earn a doctorate in education from Nova University in 2007.
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 3:51 PM.
