If Dwayne Brown’s death had to occur in an untimely manner, it seemed fitting that it took place during Black History Month.
Brown, the first African-American elected to a statewide government office in Indiana, died on Feb. 12 at age 50.
Following celebration of life services at Mt. Zion Baptist Church last weekend, Brown was laid to rest at the Pines Mausoleum in Crown Hill Cemetery.
In 1990, Brown, an Indianapolis Democrat, made history when he was elected clerk of the Indiana courts. Formally an elected position that is now appointed, it is known officially as Clerk of the Indiana Supreme Court and Appellate Court.
Defeating a Republican incumbent at age 28, Brown also became one of the youngest individuals elected to a statewide office.
Brown’s family could not be reached at press time for comment or more information. Dan Parker, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, issued a statement on behalf of the party’s central committee highlighting Brown’s historic achievement.
“We offer our condolences to Mr. Brown’s family and friends in this time of sorrow,” Parker wrote. “He was a trailblazer in Indiana politics, and we are saddened by his sudden passing.”
Tammi Davis, incoming president of the Indiana Democratic African American Caucus (IDAAC), said Brown reached a significant milestone for minorities in Indiana when he was elected in 1990.
“His achievement as the first African-American elected to a statewide office should definitely be celebrated and remembered,” Davis said.
Indianapolis City-County Councilman Monroe Gray said he will remember Brown as a well-known and well-liked person who made history, and was always a gentleman.
“Dwayne was a good guy, articulate and ahead of his time,” Gray said. “He was young, ambitious, smart and knew how to get things done.”
According to an obituary released by Stuart Mortuary, Brown, as clerk of the Supreme Court, managed an office with 25 employees and helped ease the burden of taxpayers more than $200,000 in savings from the budget of the office.
Brown served in the position from 1991 to 1994.
In 1994, Brown ran for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives in the former 10th Congressional District (now Seventh District), which includes most of Indianapolis.
Running under the slogan “Don’t hope for a better life, vote for one,” Brown lost to longtime incumbent Andy Jacobs in the Democratic primary.
Brown’s promising legal and political career, however, was tarnished by a significant setback.
He faced charges surrounding incidents that allegedly took place while he was in state office. He was accused of ghost employment, using state employees to help with campaigns for higher office and of inappropriate behavior around some female staff members.
Brown was convicted of ghost employment in Marion County courts in 1995, was given a three-year suspended sentence, two years’ probation, 240 hours of community service and his law license was suspended.
After recovering from his setback, Brown restored his life and resumed the practice of law in Indianapolis, according to the obituary.
At the time he was elected to state office, Brown was serving as counsel to the Indiana Secretary of State. Before that, he worked as a staff attorney for the Federal Reserve System in Washington.
Showing a high academic and intellectual aptitude at an early age, Brown earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College in 1984, and graduated from Columbia Law School three years later.
Davis stated that when certain people make achievements in life, their positive impact should be remembered, but that impact is often overshadowed by the negative things associated with them.
“Unfortunately, too often, we allow that to be their legacy,” Davis said. “I would say that this is an instance where we should celebrate the historic contribution Dwayne Brown made, learn from his mistakes and continue to prepare the African-American community to follow in his footsteps in being elected to statewide offices.”
Statewide history makers
In addition to Dwayne Brown, other minorities elected to statewide office in Indiana have included:
• Pamela Carter of Columbus, Attorney General (1993-1997), Democrat.
• Karen Freeman Wilson of Gary, Attorney General (2000-2001), Democrat.
• John Fernandez of Bloomington, Secretary of State, (2003-2007), Democrat.
• David Lewis of Indianapolis, Clerk of Courts, (2004-2007), Democrat.
Minorities nominated for statewide office
• Leona McPherson (later Na’Lah Ali) of Indianapolis, 1996 Libertarian nominee for lieutenant governor and 1998 nominee for state treasurer.
• Cleo Washington of South Bend, 1998 Democratic nominee for state auditor.
• Marvin Scott of Indianapolis, 2004 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.
• Vop Osili of Indianapolis, 2010 Democratic nominee for Secretary of State.
