Page 33 - BusinessWest April 27, 2026

Alicia Brown
English Teacher, John J. Duggan
Academy: Age 39
It’s called ‘the Royals.’
That’s the name Alicia Brown gave to a program she
created to empower young women in middle and high
school through mentorship, leadership development, and life
skills education. It’s an after-school program that initially
started in the basement of her church.
“We get together every two weeks, and we engage in
meaningful conversations and activities,” said Brown,
an English language arts teacher at Springfield’s John
J. Duggan Academy, adding that the program is
centered around mental health awareness in
young women and “helping them build healthy
coping mechanisms to navigate life.”
The Royals is just one example of how Brown
is making a difference inside the classroom and
beyond, and building on a passion for working
with, and helping to guide, young people that
goes back to the days when she was a summer
camp counselor.
“I grew up in Springfield myself, and I love the
fact that I can build these relationships with
my students where they can see a teacher that
they can relate to,” said Brown, a graduate of
Springfield College, adding that she’s always
focused on making an impact that goes beyond
a day’s lessons in English. “Not only are we
focusing on academics in the classroom, we’re also
teaching them about the foundations of life and
how to be successful outside these four walls.”
Elaborating, she said that much goes into
being a Royal, and that designation, if you will,
goes beyond participation in the twice-monthly
meetings.
“You being a Royal ... you wear that
everywhere you go,” she explained. “It means
we’re taking our academics seriously and we’re
making sure we show up to school, and it’s
important that we have healthy communication
skills when we need to converse with one of our
friends when we feel that something is a little off;
it’s how you carry yourself outside of here.”
Brown’s impact inside and outside the
classroom was summed up by Duggan Principal
April Robinson, who nominated her for the 40
Under Forty award. “She’s my go-to teacher
when a student needs extra support and
uplifting,” she wrote. “This strong teacher-student
rapport positively impacts student confidence,
engagement, and overall achievement.”
When not teaching and guiding young people,
Brown enjoys spending time with her 20-year-old
daughter, Imani, and other family members. “I’m
very family-oriented,” she said. “Spending
time with my family is very important to
me.”
—George O’Brien
CHEERS TO THE 2026
40 UNDER FORTY CLASS!
Special Congratulations from
Holyoke Community College to
Mychal Connolly Jr.
Alicia Brown
Robin Miller
Nicole Stevenson
Brandon Towle
hcc.edu/freeCC C O M M U N I T Y I S O U R M I D D L E N A M E .
Business W est 2026
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