About Rev. F. Lydell Brown 

PRESIDENT & CEO

A nationally recognized leader in community organizing and clergy engagement, Rev. F. Lydell Brown has served as Chief Operating Officer of The Conference of Churches for 20 years. In April 2022, he transitioned from [Chief Operations Officer] into the role of [Interim CEO], where he will assume The Executive Directorship of The Conference of Churches, and all of its programs. In December of 2022 He was appointed as permanent President & CEO by the board of directors

An ordained minister, Rev. Brown has served as a pastor for more than 30 years. Presently, he serves as the pastor and founder of Burning Bush Family Life Center. Rev. Brown is a graduate of the University of Phoenix, the Hartford Seminary Black Ministries Program, and the Yale Clergy Scholar program; he is also a highly skilled professional in facilities management and operations, and a nationally known community organizer. Rev Brown has also served on many boards, Community Partners in Action, The North End Catholic Charities of Hartford, President and Founder of The Concerned Black Clergy Council of Waterbury just to name a few.

During his time with The Conference of Churches, Rev. Brown has been pivotal in helping to update and expand the organization’s mission toward becoming a more inclusive, community driven organization. Rev. Brown assisted in the development of the 224 EcoSpace- a premier arts, health and wellness center in Hartford and a nationally recognized model of creative social enterprise for The Conference of Churches. Described as the first of its kind in the nation, the facility is “more than a traditional gallery, co-working space & technical assistance for start-up businesses, yoga, dance studio and performance sanctuary. We combine them all within our 30,000 square foot community of possibilities.

Find out more about Rev. F. Lydell Brown
www.bbflc.org www.revlydell.com | LinkedIn

About Andre Rochester:

Andre Rochester is a Fine Artist from the Greater Hartford, CT. He studied illustration at the University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts and completed his BA in Studio Art at Charter Oak State College. He also earned a MS in Organizational Leadership from Quinnipiac University.

Andre was an inaugural AOCA Fellow, Leadership Greater Hartford- 2021 Quest Program Alum, and 2022-23 National Leaders of Color Fellow- representing CT for the New England Foundation for The Arts. Andre has also served in various leadership roles in the local arts community, including his two terms as an ex officio trustee at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art representing the City of Hartford Mayor’s Office.

In addition to his work at The 224 EcoSpace, Andre coaches emerging artists. He is also an adjunct art instructor and creative consultant. He believes that with every step forward, we must make room for others to join us.

Tamara Brown 

Operations Manager

I'm Tamara Brown a.k.a. Tamara Knows Taxes. I joined The 224 in April 2022 as the Office Manager and Bookkeeper. Prior to that, I worked in a corporate office for over 20 years; during, I became a professional tax preparer and earned my bachelor degree in accounting. I’ve been known to wear many hats including self-published author, furniture upcycler, and home improvement D.I.Y’er.

 I love being at the 224 because I'm able to use my years of experience in a space that's for small business owners and creatives like myself. In addition to being the office manager, I host events to help entrepreneurs understand bookkeeping and taxes.”