Oral Lee Brown, Oakland Woman, Sends Dozens Of Underprivileged Kids To College

In 1987, Oakland real estate agent Oral Lee Brown adopted a first grade class and committed to sending each eligible student to college. She didn't know where the funds would come from, but she was set on seeing underprivileged kids have a chance for higher education.

When the time came, almost all of the 23 students went on to college thanks to "Mama Brown," who had tucked away a nest egg saved from her real estate income.

Now, Brown's foundation continues to make dreams come true for Oakland students, doling out college scholarships every three years.

WATCH:

Supporters can donate to the Oral Lee Brown Foundation to help Lee fulfill her mission of sending local kids to college.

Comments

[Eve PurvisAllen]

03:38 PM on 12/26/2010

I live here in Oakland, and I know of thisand wonderful program. She should be a CNN Hero this year. I have not looked. This woman is a SHERO!

[changing]

08:18 PM on 12/21/2010

Bless her. Why isn't Billy Gates doing this? Something useful rather than destroying jobs and pensions of hard working educators. He can start by giving every poor kid that needs a computer in America one.

[uansari1]

02:55 PM on 12/21/2010

This woman is a saint. She's doing what the gov't ought to be doing by taking care of the underprivileged who don't have the means to do so themselves, but have the drive to succeed if only someone would send them to school. This story is both happy and sad.

[DeepBlueShe]

02:00 PM on 12/21/2010

I hope this incredible woman's story goes viral and is plastered all over every news network. Online and on camera. There are so many philanthropists out there that would love to fund this worthy cause. If enough people got wind of Mama Brown's kindness and donated, maybe she could even branch out beyond Oakland.

[marysmith1]

01:10 PM on 12/21/2010

Great story. Great news. Great lady. May her heart and body be blessed with best health and fortune.

[SX]

01:00 PM on 12/21/2010

Some people would call this "socialism" like it's a dirty thing to do. This is education, the remedy for bigotry, prejudice and general all around ignorance. It should be free for ALL, but since that's now how we do it here: Hats off and eternal love and gratitude to Oral Lee Brown for her angelic spirit. Everybody please do what you can to spread this story so others with the means can be inspired to contribute as they can

[GSch]

01:29 PM on 12/21/2010

It is not socialism when individuals help other individuals. Now saying it should be free for all that is socialism and insanity. What people don't understand is that when government distributes goodies to all it stifles individuals from doing the heroric actions like this.

[SX]

03:56 PM on 12/21/2010

I'm glad we agree that this was one of the noblest of noble deeds. Can't agree with your notion that free education for all is socialism and insanity though. Something tells me that even if the government distributed "goodies" like education to all its citizens, Oral Lee Brown would still find a way to contribute to the betterment of society and it wouldn't detract from who she is at all.

How one could view education as a privilege instead of a societal right in this day and age is beyond me. Can't you see that the more educated the populace the better they do as a cohesive unit? I'm interested in hearing about your aversion to free education and your reasoning behind it. Indulge me, please.

[RecoveryRoad]

12:56 PM on 12/21/2010

We need 100,000 more people like Mama Brown !

[Redemption Song II]

12:53 PM on 12/21/2010

Despite my own sharp comments, I love the vast majority of the ones below: fans for all!! (& Happy Holidays. :o)

[Ralph Perman]

12:50 PM on 12/21/2010

Her Blessings will be returned tenfold.
Truly good work.

[Redemption Song II]

12:43 PM on 12/21/2010

...much more impressive than "Diddy".

[maryjflyfree]

12:37 PM on 12/21/2010

Kudos to "Mama Brown"!!!!

[Ricanmorenax5]

12:15 PM on 12/21/2010

Bravo! What a great thing to do! Notice how they say that almost all 23 students went to college. I really belive that when children feel it is an option, and they money is there, they sort of mentally set themselves to go. I support the few organizations that help instill the "college" mentality in young children.

[pyt333]

12:11 PM on 12/21/2010

What an absolute angel in every sense of the word. Amazing!

[Redemption Song II]

12:44 PM on 12/21/2010

Hear, hear!! :o)

[BigMike75]

12:05 PM on 12/21/2010

Absolutely wonderful story, and a shining testament that ordinary people can have extraordinary impact on peoples lives. This woman is a TRUE hero!

[dela21]

11:59 AM on 12/21/2010

Finally, a great story. She is indeed a great woman.