Daytonians of the Week: The Downtown Browns

If one woman on a mission is mightier than the strongest bear, imagine how tough four can be.

The Downtown Browns are a collaboration between four downtown Dayton African-American female businesses owners that launched in 2015. Together, they are finding strength and support through the ups and downs of small business operations in downtown Dayton.

"We have a group of women you can call on and you can really talk about anything," said Jasmine Brown, the owner of De'Lish Cafe, 139 N Main St.

The friendship circle shares customers and information on downtown business trends. They serve as mentors who offer each other motherly and sisterly advice like "maybe you shouldn't post that response on Facebook."

We caught up with the downtown Browns: Lisa Scott of Beaute Box Lashes Dayton; Kate Rivers of Twist Cupcakery; Juanita Darden-Jones of Third Perk Coffeehouse & Wine Bar and Jasmine Brown.

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

It is someone to cry with, to joke with, to be completely myself with. No fronts... I don't think I chose to be a part of a group. It just happened. It was sort of organic.

JUANITA DARDEN-JONESThird Perk Coffeehouse & Wine Bar, 46 W. Fifth St.

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

>> MORE: Downtown Dayton business wants to give you money and celebrate you as a 'Dreamer’

It is a group of mad hatters because we wear all of the hats... As woman of color, black women in America, we really have to support one another. We always get a bad wrap of being too sassy or too this or too that. We really support each other.

LISA SCOTT, Beaute Box Lashes, 116 W. Fifth St.

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

I am the new kid on the scene. I am really fortunate to join forces with these women. They are my sounding boards."


KATE RIVERS, Twist Cupcakery, 25 S. Saint Clair St.

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

>>MORE: Sink your teeth into Twist Cupcakery

"We really are showing our people the importance of supporting each other... We are black women and we are working together."

JASMINE BROWNDe'Lish Cafe, 139 N Main St.

>>MORE:  Here are your top 10 Daytonians of the Week in 2016

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

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