Phillip (also known as Phil) A. Brown grew up a second-generation San Diego, California native. For more than four decades Phil has used his gifts, talents and skills to create a positive economic difference in urban underserved communities like the one in which he grew up. He focuses on creating self-empowerment and community empowerment through sports, entrepreneurship, economic development and by producing inspirational methods and tools to facilitate learning about African American history. This historical fiction, "Olivia Jones," (Phil's first foray into authorship), centers Selma, Alabama's rich voting rights history.