Will Brown Reporter email

Will Brown is a Report for America corps member focusing on race, poverty and inequality for Jacksonville Today.

He previously reported for the Jacksonville Business Journal. And before that, he spent more than a decade as a sports reporter at The St. Augustine Record, Victoria (Texas) Advocate and the Tallahassee Democrat.

Over his 15-year career, Brown has won awards for breaking news, social media and photography. And in 2020, he contributed photographs for WFSU News/Health News Florida’s national Murrow Award-winning series “Committed: How and Why Children Became the Fastest Growing Group Under Florida’s Baker Act.”

Brown has an undergraduate degree from Florida A&M University and a master’s from the University of South Florida. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and soccer. He lives in Clay County with his wife and son.

Featured image for “Black diamonds: Imagining the future of Jacksonville’s century-long baseball legacy ”
Ribault outfielder Braylin Clarke lays down a bunt during the High School Heritage Classic on Feb. 15, 2023. Clarke reached base twice and scored the game's opening run in Ribault's 8-3 win. His mother says he and his twin syster Brayla have played baseball and softball since they were three. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
February 21, 2023

Black diamonds: Imagining the future of Jacksonville’s century-long baseball legacy 

Black baseball evangelists are trying to attract young players in a city with a rich history with the sport.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville exhibition showcases Black Americans through arts”
February 20, 2023

Jacksonville exhibition showcases Black Americans through arts

Nearly 100 people filed into the Jessie Ball duPont Center on Saturday to attend “Free Press,” a conversation about Black…

Featured image for “‘Little Free Diverse Libraries’ find a home during book debate”
February 16, 2023

‘Little Free Diverse Libraries’ find a home during book debate

904Ward and Yellow House Art are making diverse authors available in Jacksonville to fill “book deserts.”…

Featured image for “What makes a good City Council member? Jax City Hall alumni weigh in ”
February 13, 2023

What makes a good City Council member? Jax City Hall alumni weigh in 

Jacksonville’s City Council will have a new look on July 1. Eight of 15 council races do not have an…

Featured image for “Florida Black Expo returns to Jax Thursday ”
External general view of the NFL football Jacksonville Jaguars' stadium, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
February 8, 2023

Florida Black Expo returns to Jax Thursday 

The Florida Black Expo returns to Jacksonville on Thursday, February 9, 2023.…

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January 31, 2023

Soaring prices squeeze renters in Jax

Nearly half of Jacksonville’s renters are “cost-burdened,” according to a study by the University of North Florida.…

Featured image for “Out East Jacksonville takes big step toward national historic designation”
A. Philip Randolph Boulevard is the commercial hub of the Eastside. Some of the commercial buildings here are among the oldest in Jacksonville because they were not destroyed during the Great Fire of 1901. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
January 24, 2023

Out East Jacksonville takes big step toward national historic designation

The Eastside Historic District is one step closer to joining the National Register of Historic Places following a decision from…

Featured image for “Enrolling your child in Duval County Public Schools | JAX TODAY GUIDE”
The Duval Schools administration building. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
January 19, 2023

Enrolling your child in Duval County Public Schools | JAX TODAY GUIDE

If you’re looking to enroll a first-time student in Duval Schools for this coming fall, here’s what you need to…

Featured image for “Downtown board’s deferral of planned LaVilla gas station hailed as community victory ”
Caption: First Coast Energy looks to convert portions of this LaVilla property into a mixed-use development with a Daily’s Place gas station. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
January 17, 2023

Downtown board’s deferral of planned LaVilla gas station hailed as community victory 

A Jan. 12 deferral means the Downtown Improvement Authority will bring the DDRB’s concerns to Jacksonville-based First Coast Energy before…

Featured image for “PHOTO ESSAY | Jacksonville’s 42nd Annual MLK Holiday Grand Parade”
More than 160 organizations, businesses, politicians, youth groups and stuend organizations participated in the 42nd Martin Luther King Holiday Grand Parade took place along Water Street on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
January 16, 2023

PHOTO ESSAY | Jacksonville’s 42nd Annual MLK Holiday Grand Parade

Hundreds marched in the 42nd annual MLK Holiday Grand Parade on Monday morning in Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville officials, local civil rights leaders continue to celebrate MLK. Separately. ”
Martin Luther King Jr. speaks in St. Augustine in June 1964. He was arrested in St. Augustine that month, alongside others from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, while attempting to eat in a segregated restaurant. | State Archive of Florida 
January 12, 2023

Jacksonville officials, local civil rights leaders continue to celebrate MLK. Separately. 

Friday will mark the fifth straight year Jacksonville will have separate breakfasts honoring Martin Luther King.…

Featured image for “Schoolkids get a lift with free Jacksonville bus rides”
January 5, 2023

Schoolkids get a lift with free Jacksonville bus rides

Hundreds of Jacksonville students have been riding JTA buses to school since the free service began a year ago.…

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December 30, 2022

CSX contributes $100,000 to fight anti-semitism

Jacksonville-based CSX has announced a $100,000 donation to the Together Strong Community Fund to fight anti-Semitism in Northeast Florida. The…

Featured image for “PHOTO ESSAY | Jax Today’s 11 favorite images from 2022”
Jaguars punter Logan Cooke holts up his 11-month old son, Cooper, prior to the team's 2022 home opener. During Cooper's first NFL football game, his dad's team shutout Indianapolis 24-0. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 29, 2022

PHOTO ESSAY | Jax Today’s 11 favorite images from 2022

Jacksonville Today’s Will Brown shares his favorite images he’s captured over the past year.…

Featured image for “Gator Bowl mania returns with packed house”
Workers prep TIAA Bank Field on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, for the 78th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
December 29, 2022

Gator Bowl mania returns with packed house

When the 78th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl kicks off Friday, it will feature a big crowd and marquee matchup as it…

Featured image for “Families of Slain Children provides toys, food, comfort for Durkeeville residents ahead of holidays”
Families of Slain Children is a Durkeeville-based non-profit that focuses on the emotional and physical health of families impacted by homicide. Every Monday it provides food to people in Durkeeville, Grand Park and the surrounding areas. Families of Slain Children is one of more than 100 food pantries affiliated with Feeding Northeast Florida. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 20, 2022

Families of Slain Children provides toys, food, comfort for Durkeeville residents ahead of holidays

Beverly McClain’s idea of being a good neighbor is loving people where they are. Her official title is CEO of…

Featured image for “Jaguars recognize Historic Eastside CDC with inaugural Inspire Change award”
Historic Eastside CDC President Suzanne Pickett, right, hugs T-Neisha Tate, the Jaguars' Vice President of Social Responsibility and Impact, after being surprised with Super Bowl tickets during a Dec. 18, 2022 football game. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 20, 2022

Jaguars recognize Historic Eastside CDC with inaugural Inspire Change award

Suzanne Pickett is headed to the Super Bowl. The president and CEO of the Historic Eastside Community Development Corporation was…

Featured image for “PHOTO ESSAY | ‘Take them down!’”
Jacksonville activists Ben Frazier, center, and Bob Rutter, right, are removed from the chambers by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Tuesday night. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 14, 2022

PHOTO ESSAY | ‘Take them down!’

Activists with the Northside Coalition and other civil rights groups implored the Jacksonville City Council Tuesday to remove the Confederate…

Featured image for “How should Jax address housing and health care? Ideas head to City Council”
City Council President Terrance Freeman | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 11, 2022

How should Jax address housing and health care? Ideas head to City Council

Jacksonville could soon take steps to address homelessness, a lack of affordable housing and inequitable access to healthcare.  That’s after…

Featured image for “UF quarterback Jalen Kitna booked on child porn charges”
November 30, 2022

UF quarterback Jalen Kitna booked on child porn charges

University of Florida quarterback Jalen Kitna has been arrested on charges related to child pornography. Gainesville police say Kitna was…

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November 29, 2022

DeSantis awards grant for rail improvements on Westside

Gov. Ron DeSantis was at Cecil Airport on Tuesday to award a $5.5 million grant from the Governor’s Job Growth…

Featured image for “2 new Northwest Jacksonville schools mix HBCU culture with elementary curriculum”
Mikynzi Alexander recites Useni Eugene Perkins' poem "Hey Black Child" during a ribbon cutting for Becoming Collegiate Academy. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 28, 2022

2 new Northwest Jacksonville schools mix HBCU culture with elementary curriculum

Mikynzi Alexander spoke with confidence as she recited Useni Eugene Perkins’ poem “Hey, Black Child” at her school’s ribbon-cutting last…

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November 22, 2022

QUIZ: How well do Jaxsons know soccer?

The men’s World Cup kicked off in the Middle East for the first time this week, as host nation Qatar…

Featured image for “Black Restaurant Week puts spotlight on Northeast Florida’s culinary diversity”
Lew Kaiser, right, and LaTasha Kaiser, left, own KraVegan LLC, a Jacksonville-based vegan restaurant that has a food truck and as well as a brick and mortar location inside the Orange Park Mall. LaTasha is the owner, CEO and culinary inspiration behind the business while Lew serves as its Chief Financial Officer. KraVegan is one of 11 Northeast Florida culinary establishment's that is participating in Black Restaurant Week. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 15, 2022

Black Restaurant Week puts spotlight on Northeast Florida’s culinary diversity

Nearly a dozen Northeast Florida eateries are participating in Black Restaurant Week.  The Jacksonville restaurants offering special dishes this week…