The Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and Economic Development is named after Ronald H. Brown, a St. John’s law school alumnus, who served as the first African American Secretary of Commerce and the first African American Chair of the Democratic National Committee. 

Prep Program for College Students
The Prep Program for College Students is a educational experience taking place in June/July/August/September of each year.  Pursuant to this Prep Program, the Ronald Brown Center for Civil Rights and Economic Development partnered with the following undergraduate schools:

• John Jay College of Criminal Justice/CUNY Department of Latino/a/Latin American Studies
• Medgar Evers College/CUNY
• St. John’s University
• York College/CUNY
• United Negro College Fund Colleges

Through a rigorous selection process, each undergraduate college selects no more than 10 students for the Prep Program. Each student also earns academic credit while participating in the Prep Program.