Dr. Hassan Brown, the ‘Doc From Da Block’, reps Brooklyn to the fullest. Though he was impacted by the criminal legal system at a young age, life extended him a second chance that allowed him to attend Morehouse College and obtain two masters degrees before earning his doctorate in education leadership from Harvard University.

Hassan began his career as a child protective worker in New York City before becoming a middle school and high school teacher. As an education professional, he brings over a decade of cross-sector experience in teaching, collective impact, community organizing, philanthropy, business development and strategy & operations.

Dr. Brown is currently the chief executive officer of Career Catalyst, a venture he’s developing at SMASH— an organization that invites Black and Brown youth to get plugged into the STEM economy through a social justice lens. At Career Catalyst, Dr. Brown is building an education technology and media venture aimed at inspiring young people from communities like his to explore careers in STEM. Brown believes that STEM careers and emerging sectors can serve as pathways leading to more gainful employment and economic security for Black and Brown youth.

Brown has served as the director of Harvard Innovation and Ventures in Education (HIVE) which is an incubator for education-focused ventures at Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). He has also been a startup advisor for the Harvard Initiative for Teaching and Learning (HILT), and currently serves as a startup advisor for Headstream, an accelerator from SecondMuse that is designed to support innovators working on digital solutions for young people in the social tech, ed-tech, and digital health sectors.

Brown keeps his passion for education, love for his community, and sense of adventure at the center of his work.

Dr. Hassan Brown currently travels the country engaging with youth, educators and professionals. He is available for speaking engagements and consultations.