ABOUT

Leland Brown, III

Leland Brown III is a native of Galveston Island, Texas and is the first Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at USA Swimming.

Upon graduating from Bethel College, Leland has pursued a professional career in creating access to higher education and self-empowerment for traditionally underserved, undervalued, and marginalized communities.

Professionally, Leland has created access in multifarious capacities with the University of Colorado Boulder, University of Cincinnati, Promise Prep Indianapolis, and the NCAA.

An extremely passionate community advocate and activist, Leland has received the Unsung Hero Award from the University of Cincinnati’s United Black Student Association, Cincinnati’s 30 Under 30 Honors, and the Albert C. Yates Fellowship. 

Leland Brown III earned his bachelor's degree at Bethel College (Kansas), with three majors: English, Communication Arts, and Teacher Education. While at Bethel College, Leland was the captain and MVP of the Thresher Football team, a soloist in an Emmy Awarded Concert Choir, an award-winning speech and debater, and a thespian within several theater productions including The Jungle Book, Othello, and The Man of La Mancha.

In his personal life, Leland is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and loves singing opera, playing football, and promoting cultures of peace via cultural education and diversity.