We had the good fortune of connecting with Chuck Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Chuck, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
Before I became a parent I tried to plan for everything. Something that is impossible to do. One of our biggest struggles was bedtime. That’s when I started reading to my kids as infants. We tried to make an event out of reading and bedtime. Today our kids are excelling thanks to reading to them early.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My works blends storytelling with cultural and historical influences, often reimagining familiar themes through a fresh, socially relevant lens. I’m proud of works like Bitter Root and On The Stump, which tackle race, justice, and identity while delivering exciting narratives. The journey hasn’t been easy—rejections and self-doubt were frequent—but persistence, collaboration, and staying true to my voice helped me overcome these challenges. I’ve learned the value of authenticity and the power of telling underrepresented stories. My brand is about using creativity to engage meaningfully with the world and leave a lasting impact. I love making good trouble.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d start with a visit to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, followed by a stroll along the Congaree Riverwalk. We’d check out Scratch and Spin and Heroes and Dragons for some comic book shopping, then grab dinner at Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles. I’d also give them a tour of the Richland County libraries, taking advantage of some of their programming. We’d attend First Thursdays on Main, a monthly event in downtown Columbia featuring local artists, live music, food, and entertainment. To wrap up the week, I’d set up the projector outside for an anime night and fire up the grill.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to thank the Richland County Library for their support, encouragement, and resources. I deeply appreciate not only how they’ve helped further my career but also their contributions to the community.
Website: https://Ogounink.com
Instagram: @Chuck.Brown.902
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-brown-19a2641a2/
Other: Tik Tok – ChuckBrown01010