Tomika L. Brown
Educator, Strategist, Innovator, & Connector
With almost 20 years of experience and expert knowledge in workforce development, post-secondary pathways, financial aid, and educational policy, Tomika is a proven leader in driving innovation, strategy, and partnership development in college and career access.
@tomikalbrown
About Tomika L. Brown
As a high-achieving student from a poor Black city in central Virginia, Tomika was heartbroken at her lack of preparation for college. Although she was grateful for all the financial aid she received to attend the University of Virginia, she was a complete fish out of water in every way--academically, socially, and financially. At the end of her 1st semester, she felt so defeated that she cried at UVA’s chapel for hours after her Chemistry 101 final exam. Racism, classism, nay-sayers, and doubters all worked to discourage her persistence, but through stubborn determination and a supportive community of Black mentors and peers, she wore the honors of Honor and graduated from Virginia with a Bachelor’s degree in History.
During her undergraduate experience, she realized that her challenges were shared by most minority students from marginalized communities-- they were all struggling! This awareness was an awakening of her purpose--her calling.
Since 2003, Tomika has been committed to enriching high-need communities by leading impactful college access initiatives along the East Coast in K12, community-based, and higher education spaces. As an adoptee raised in a foster home, she leans into opportunities to empower foster and homeless youth as well as other vulnerable populations, like justice-involved youth, who have historically been excluded from intentional post-secondary planning support.
Currently, Tomika is the Director of ECMC The College Place in Richmond, VA, where she partners with state agencies to provide relevant training, workshops, and individualized support for public schools and youth-serving organizations across central and eastern Virginia. Yet, the dire need for more support in urban spaces continue to be her personal call to action, harnessing the power of her college access and financial aid expertise, life experience, and other like-minded practitioners to enrich the lives of Black communities across the nation.
By providing meaningful connections to information, tools and resources, Tomika is helping to build collective confidence in a world of possibilities for Black youth and families—and to empower the historically marginalized to create a life well lived.
TLB in Action
CTE Leaders’ Panel session, Virginia College Access Network Conference 2022, Harrisonburg, VA
Career Planning for Middle School Panel,
SXSW EDU 2023, Austin, TX
Reviewing Fin Aid Offers Talk, Partnership for the Future, Richmond, VA
College Financial Aid for Homeless Students session, National Association for the Education Of Homeless Children and Youth Conference 2022, San Diego, CA
Post-Sec Options Talk, Foster Youth Summit, Norfolk, VA
College Planning Talk, Broken Men Foundation Academy, Richmond, VA
TLB in the Media
Adriana Benoit, Parent, Fairfax Co. Schools
Testimonials
Tomika is one of the most knowledgeable professionals in the fields of college access and higher education that I have had the privilege of knowing. The Virginia College Advising Corps has trusted her with training new college access professionals annually. Tomika's mastery of content and willingness to help make her a sought after colleague in college access…Tomika is an irreplaceable asset to the college access and higher education fields and I am grateful to have benefitted from her commitment to this work.
Alex Johnston, Associate Director, VA College Advising Corps
Thank you again for sharing your presence and your wisdom. Our program and students are better because of you.
Dr. N.C. Garris-Watson, Director, Virginia Union University Upward Bound
Tomika Brown is an asset to Virginia's college access community. She brings expertise and energy to all of her work. I have been so impressed by her work that I invited her to present at my organization's Advisor Training Conference on college and career pathways. I consider Tomika a colleague and partner in our shared mission of supporting Virginia students in reaching their college and career goals. She is an important resource in our state for all of us working in the college access landscape.
Anne Michie-Chief Compliance and Program Officer, GRASP
Ms. Brown is an expert and leader in education, college access, and family engagement. I have consulted and collaborated with Ms. Brown on very complex cases where she was able to bring clarity, hope, and action oriented steps for the student and family. Ms. Brown has helped me professionally stay up to date on college access changes and supported the growth of our school counselors, thus having a direct impact on hundreds of thousands of students across the commonwealth of Virginia. Our community is forever grateful for the collaboration, consultation, professional development, and family engagement offerings Ms. Brown has provided over the years. She is a trusted colleague that is deeply respected and valued.
Alissa Bridges, Administrative Coordinator of College and Career Counseling Services, Prince William Co. Schools
Your warmth and genuineness to assist families to reach their higher education goals are evident.
Drema Cartes-Alvarez, ESL Family Engagement Support Specialist, Chesterfield Co. Schools
Paying for College talk, Chesterfield Co. Public Schools, Chesterfield, VA
Contact Information
Tomika L. Brown
tomika.brown@gmail.com
804-475-8149
Richmond, VA
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