Building STEPS is pleased to announce that alumnae Shawna Murray-Browne has been selected as one of the top 20 up-and-comers in the State of Maryland by The Daily Record. 20 in Their Twenties honors individuals on the basis of professional accomplishment, civic involvement and impact of achievement.

After working in the child welfare arena as a Social Worker, Ms. Browne recognized the scarcity of safe space for teen girls of color to express themselves, engage healthily with their peers, develop skills for womanhood and learn about their lineage. She created Kindred Wellness, LLC, a holistic practice to address these issues in the community.

“We are incredibly proud of Shawna and her success working with and empowering young women and their families. We are thankful Shawna continues to have a relationship with Building STEPS,” stated Debra Hettlmen, Building STEPS Executive Director.

Ms. Browne, a Licensed Certified Social Worker- Clinical, holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Family Science from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is  a 2005 graduate of Building STEPS.

Building STEPS exposes high school students to careers that rely on science and technology and equips them with the tools and resources critical to college access and completion. Building STEPS is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit built on one simple principle; a college education changes a person’s life.