FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — 2025 — U.S. Army veteran and entrepreneur Tony U. Brown has been awarded the Key to the City of Fayetteville by Mayor Mitch Colvin. The honor recognizes Brown’s innovative approach to crime reduction, youth mentorship, and community development in North Carolina. Supporters traveled from across the East Coast, including as far as New York City to celebrate his achievements.
Veteran Service Inspires Community Entrepreneurship
Brown is the Founder and Director of Southern CC Inc., a nonprofit structured with the efficiency of a startup. His mission is clear: reduce crime, create opportunities, and empower at-risk youth. In 2024, Fayetteville recorded a major drop in crime, which local leaders’ credit in part to Brown’s leadership and collaborative initiatives.
“When I joined the Army, my contract was to serve foreign and domestic. If I could help educate and liberate people overseas, I knew I could do the same here in America,” Brown said.
Personal Story Fuels the Mission
Growing up in Red Hook, Brooklyn during the 1980s, Brown experienced the challenges of drug-infested neighborhoods firsthand. His drive is also personal — his younger brother served 20 years in prison before turning his life around.
“I wasn’t a gang member, but I understood the struggle,” Brown explained. “My brother’s story pushes me to reach young men before they go down the same path. Now he’s rebuilding his life, and that gives others hope.”
Scalable Community Programs in Fayetteville
Through Southern CC Inc., Brown has developed programs designed for long-term impact and scalability:
- Vets for Youth Project — veterans mentoring gangs and at-risk youth.
- Esports & Gaming Tournaments — creating safe spaces while opening career paths in the $200B gaming industry.
- YMUS Holistic Garden — teaching sustainability, wellness, and entrepreneurship to families.
- Awareness campaigns — addressing human trafficking, suicide prevention, and community safety.
These initiatives have helped cut crime in Fayetteville while building trust between neighborhoods, veterans, and local institutions.
Future Goals: Scaling Across North Carolina
While the Key to the City marks an important milestone, Brown sees it as just the beginning. His next goal is to expand these programs across all 100 counties in North Carolina. In 2026, he will launch the One Vote initiative, aimed at uniting communities and showing young men and ex-offenders that their voices matter. He also plans to speak at schools and institutions statewide to inspire civic engagement.
“This recognition belongs to Fayetteville as much as it does to me,” Brown said. “We’ve proven what’s possible when a community works together. Now, the goal is to scale it.”
To volunteer, partner, or bring programs to your area, contact Mr. Tony U. Brown at tonyubrown@southernccinc.org or US code +1-910-723-1367, Social media @mrtonyubrown
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