Dayton.com names Wright State’s Browning Daytonian of the Week

Ashley Browning, project manager for the SARDI Program in the Boonshoft School of Medicine, opened The Heartbeat to distribute goods and foods to those affected by the Memorial Day tornadoes. (Video by Kris Sproles / Photo by Chris Snyder)

Excerpt

A Dayton native is proving that a lot of love can go a very long way.

Ashley Browning’s name is among those that frequently pop up during conversations about local resident who stepped up to help others in the hours, weeks and months that followed the Memorial Day tornadoes.

“Ashley is an amazing community organizer and activist. She’s a leader and motivator in and out of the spotlight. Always pushing everyone to follow their dreams and giving them the resources and platform to do so,” Tasha Washington-Harris answered on a Facebook post about Daytonians doing great things.

Browning has said SoLoved finds its focus in the Bible verse John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son….”

The project manager at Wright State University and founder of SoLoved, a project-based organization, has led efforts to collect everything from school supplies to toys for tornado survivors.

She is the latest Daytonian of the Week.

What do you do? 

Project manager at Wright State University. (The project offers) HIV education and testing for African American College Students 18-24 years old.

Founder and outreach coordinator, SoLoved. Community outreach.

What superpower would you love to have? 

To heal.

How did you get involved with your profession and charity? 

The profession just happened and I love it. For SoLoved, I saw missing gaps and wanted to start something to assist people who needed immediate assistance.

I love the support.

What should people know about SoLoved? 

Community Outreach is our focus, specifically for West Dayton and Trotwood.

How can people help SoLoved’s mission?

Love on purpose and get involved in the community and social justice.

How would you improve this community if you suddenly had $6 million to spend? 

Develop an educational school system/programs for African American students, affordable housing and eradicate the food desert issue in West Dayton, as well as the infant mortality rates and lastly, a safe space for creatives of color.

What is your favorite hidden Gem in the Dayton area? 

The Wright Dunbar area.

Why did you decide to root yourself here? 

My love for the community.

What should people know about Dayton? 

It’s Dayton Strong.

What do you think Dayton will look like in 10 to 15 years?

I’m hopeful that it will be THEE place to be!

If you could bring one thing to Dayton, what would it be? 

Trauma informed care assistance/training.

View the original story at dayton.com