Tremaine Brown, a prominent figure in the Amarillo community, in August has been named the 7 Brew Hero, a national honor that recognizes individuals who embody the coffee chain’s mission to "cultivate kindness." Brown’s story will be featured on menu boards at every 7 Brew location across the country throughout September.
Brown, the owner of Shi Lee’s BBQ and Soul Food and founder of the Vessel of Humanity and Compassion foundation, is celebrated as a community leader dedicated to uplifting children and families in Amarillo through numerous community events.
“I mean, to pluck me from Amarillo, Texas, out of 256 stores, that’s like finding a needle in a haystack,” he said. “It’s pretty incredible.”
The recognition comes as part of a nationwide campaign by the business, which honors individuals for their dedication to community service. The man, who has been deeply involved in caring for children, the homeless, and the elderly, expressed his gratitude for the recognition.
“When you think about it on a national level, with countless nominations, it's a tremendous honor,” he said. “My heart would hope that there are tons of people out there doing great work for their communities. Anybody who is actually doing good work should be applauded.”
He also hopes that his story might inspire others to take similar actions in their own communities.
“It’s really cool that my name and mission are being carried further. That’s the priceless part about it,” he said. “The best thing about being on a mission is knowing that it’s reaching further and impacting more lives.”
Nominated by a local community member, Brown was selected from a pool of nationwide nominees for his unwavering commitment to helping children.
“Tremaine’s passion, heart, and commitment to ensuring the entire city is provided for is a truly special quality that has helped uplift and strengthen the lives of so many children in our community,” said Jolene Miller, who nominated Brown for the honor. “Our community would not be the same without Tremaine and his work.”
To honor Brown’s achievements, the 7 Brew Amarillo team held a back-to-school drive at their stand on Aug. 11, further supporting Brown’s mission to create future leaders through his after-school programs.
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In an interview, 7 Brew spokesperson Noah Lockhart explained the significance of the program. "We choose one hero each month who has made a profound impact in their community," Lockhart said. "For August, that hero is Tremaine Brown, whose work with The Vessel of Humanity and Compassion has touched countless lives, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Lockhart elaborated on how Brown will be featured. "Every 7 Brew location has a digital menu board, and one of the slides will showcase Tremaine’s story, including his efforts in Amarillo, Texas. It’s a way to highlight his contributions to a national audience."
Brown received the title earlier this month and will see his story displayed throughout September. "This is a nationwide recognition, so every 7 Brew customer will learn about Tremaine and the incredible work he’s doing in Amarillo," Lockhart said.
The recognition includes more than just accolades. 7 Brew presented Brown with a $1,400 donation to support his organization, along with free drinks for the next year. "We really want to support individuals like Tremaine who are aligned with our ethos of cultivating kindness," Lockhart emphasized.
At the end of the year, all 12 monthly heroes, including Brown, will be eligible for an additional prize, decided by a public vote in December. "This vote will take place on our website, and it’s another way for the community to support their local hero," Lockhart noted. "We’re hoping that by spreading the word now, people will be ready to cast their votes in December and help Tremaine further his mission."
Lockhart also mentioned that anyone can nominate a 7 Brew Hero through the company’s website. "Tremaine was nominated by Jolene Miller, a mother whose child benefited from his organization. It’s truly a community-driven initiative."
Reflecting on the importance of the program, Lockhart said, "Our goal at 7 Brew is to uplift those who uplift others. By highlighting heroes like Tremaine, we hope to inspire kindness across all the communities we serve."
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This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo's Tremaine Brown named 7 Brew Hero for August, recognized nationwide
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