Javette Pinkney Laremont ’80, recalls her first visit to Brown as “magical.” The warm and inviting campus, the diverse faculty, and the vast possibilities offered by the Open Curriculum — she knew Brown was a special place. 

She received a degree in English Literature conducting an independent study comparing the writings of African American, Jewish, and Indigenous peoples. Her research and work with distinguished professors enabled her to meet authors like Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, and Alice Walker. In exploring Indigenous folklore, she went to the source, meeting with elders of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and attending tribal activities. 

Four decades later, she reflects that “Brown’s unique learning model was transformative — it taught me to view and explore the world through a multi-cultural and broad lens. I know that I would not have been able to do that at another institution.” 

Since graduating, Javette has remained involved with Brown as an alumni and Class of 1980 leader. She chaired and served on various advisory councils, is a former Brown Alumni Association President, and is a trustee emerita of the Corporation. In her career, she credits her Brown degree with enabling her to pursue professional opportunities at IBM as a marketing executive and product development at a tech start-up.  She recently finished her career in operational risk and new initiatives strategy on Wall Street. 

“As the first in my family to complete college, Brown taught me about possibilities and that my obligation is to create a legacy that enables others to pursue their dreams by paying it forward.”

Javette knows that everyone’s support is vital and makes a huge difference. “Brown is investing in the things that I care about and that I value. I am proud to be part of the changes that Brown is putting in place that are so needed right now and for our future. I’m not naive enough to think that my funding is going to take Brown over the top, but I know if we don’t all give, we’ll never get there.” 

Javette was excited to work with the team in Philanthropic Strategies and Planned Giving because they provided a path to a bigger financial impact. She had a lifelong goal to give a four-figure gift. Among her planning tools is the use of beneficiary designations. “I can weave Brown into my estate plans. Time will grow my future gift so my ultimate legacy to Brown will be what I have envisioned since graduating.”