National treasure. Friend, guide and mentor. Icon. Countryman. The best way to gauge Aggrey Brown’s impact on the field of media and communications in Jamaica and the Caribbean is to take a look at the accolades he has received from his students and colleagues. “He was the standard bearer for journalism and media education,” said the Press Association of Jamaica. “The media fraternity joins…in mourning the passing of a giant.” But what did Aggrey Brown accomplish int his lifetime that has roused so large a response at his untimely passing?
Educator
As a former director of the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communications – an institution that he led for 22 years- and a former Dean of UWI’s Faculty of Humanities and Education, Brown was integral in the establishment of programmes that continue to mold the minds of young journalists, cameramen, producers, directors, hosts and others even today. Before teaching at CARIMAC, Brown honed his skills by teaching at Rutgers, Howard and Princeton in the United States. Not only did Brown set the foundation for the success of journalists such as Ian Boyne- he was instrumental in the development of the careers of countless professionals across the globe.
Practitioner
Early on in Aggrey Brown’s career, he served as a cameraman, a columnist, a radio announcer and analyst, and as a moderator of the noted call-in programme “The Public Eye.” He redefined the expectations of media practitioners by showing that one need not restrict one’s talents to a particular field. Additionally, through his contributions to “The Public Eye,” he assisted in giving a listening ear to the voice of the voiceless.
Pioneer
According to President of the Press Association of Jamaica, Jenni Campbell- Brown, Professor Brown predicted the revolution in technology long before many other academics. Through the publication of papers such as “Caribbean Cultures and Mass Communication Technology in the 21st Century,” Brown strove to deepen outsiders’ understanding of the region, and West Indians’ understanding of themselves.
Guide
Aggrey Brown was not simply a teacher- he was a mentor. He was always ready to give advice or to extend a helping hand to anyone who required it. In a tribute given at his funeral, stepson, Sean said “…Family to Dad was not just biological or marital,” l. “He taught me how to think,” a former student, Kari Morrison-Heron, recently told the Jamaica Observer . Today’s generation of media leaders can all thank Aggrey Brown not only for developing their communication skills, but also for inspiring them by demonstrating how these skills should be used.
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