Rushia Brown, a native of Charleston, SC is a retired female professional basketball player. Brown is a pioneer of the WNBA and a founding member of the Cleveland Rockers. She played 6 years in Cleveland and 1 year with the Charlotte Sting. Rushia also enjoyed a stellar 10 year career in Europe, where she played 2 yrs in Spain, 2 yrs in France, 4 years in Italy, 1 year in Korea and 1 year in Greece. Her experience as a professional athlete left Brown with multiple international titles, an Eastern Conference Championship, the ability to speak Spanish, Italian and French; in addition to her native tongue, English. With a history of international exposure and winning, Brown developed a sense of perspective that would propel her into a world of entrepreneurship and service. Since retiring, Rushia has found several means of fulfilling her need to make a difference in the community and the world.

Rushia has started several businesses but her heart’s work called her to commit her life to the empowerment of women and girls through sport. In 2006, Brown participated in a celebrity basketball game in Houston, TX alongside various other WNBA pioneers and learned that one woman that had been a 2-time WNBA ALL-STAR, was now homeless. Her spirit was uneasy and she knew something needed to be put into place to assist the women with moving beyond the game. Rushia then became the Founder and President of the Women’s Professional Basketball Alumnae (WPBA), the only organization structured to assist women that have played professionally in the WNBA, ABL and/or in Europe as they transition into mainstream society. The WPBA is committed to providing its membership with support and resources for:

Career Transition

Higher Education

Psychological/Spiritual Well-Being and

Philanthropic Engagement

The WPBA is a sisterhood; a team willing to assist its members in their journey to attain excellence in their next career. (www.wpbalum.com)

Having started a few businesses, Rushia understood the pitfalls that could await an eager entrepreneur with vision, passion but lacking in know how. She was excited to assist her brother, Artist and Entrepreneur, OKEEBA JUBALO and business partner Johnny Clarkson, Fitness Specialist and Entrepreneur, with the vision to provide an educational platform for people of color that have entrepreneurial aspirations. Young Black Entrepreneur, the Magazine was formed and is approaching its one year anniversary in October. YBE tells the stories of those that have done it well, through the struggles, and also gives insight as to how to effectively attain funding in mainstream America. YBE is a celebration of the creativity and ingenuity we possess as a people and gives a forum for us to perpetuate knowledge and growth. (www.noblesol.net)

Having seen the sacrifices of her family to allow her the opportunity to pursue her professional career as a basketball player, Rushia has always wanted to support her mother with her passion for food and cooking. In 2011, the Brown family started Hearts & Hands Catering (HNH) as a tribute to Fine Southern Cuisine. In addition to catering events such as weddings, parties, corporate banquets, etc, with healthy soul food,  HNH has made its mark as a prominent provider of school lunches in the Metro Atlanta area. It is the mission of HNH to implement the standards and USDA guidelines unveiled by First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. At HNH we understand that improving the quality of school meals is a critical step in building a healthy future for our children. (www.hnhcater.com)

Rushia has long subscribed to the theory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr when he said: “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” She is extremely active in the community, using her  non profit organization SerVcom International to improve communities by providing educational and enrichment activities for its citizens. We are committed to implementing programs which enhance academic achievement, personal growth, health and wellness, economic vitality, self-sufficiency, and good citizenship. Rushia has committed herself to traveling nationwide to spread her PASSION Principles, where youth are encouraged to embrace its 7 attributes: Perseverance, Attitude, Sacrifice, Set Goals, Inner Strength, Optimism, and Never Give Up.

Rushia is a graduate of Furman University, where she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and she also holds an Executive MBA from George Washington University.

She is also the proud mother on 1, Morgan MacKenzie Brown.