Bryan Brown Foundation

06/20/2026

One of the greatest lessons we try to teach at the Bryan Brown Youth Academy is that opportunity only matters if you're willing to show up and do the work.

Last year at the 2025 Bryan Brown Youth Academy, I met a young man named Kai. He had a desire to train, get stronger, and improve himself, but he didn't have a place to do it. Before camp ended, I told him I would try to find him somewhere to train, but in return, he had to promise me one thing: he had to commit.

After camp, I sat down with my friend Alex at Undisputed and shared Kai's story. Without hesitation, Alex said, "We got you." From that moment on, Undisputed opened its doors and gave Kai a place to train, learn, and grow.

Fast forward one year.

Today I happened to be working out at Undisputed when I saw someone walk through the door. It was Kai.

Not only did he keep his promise by showing up, he's been putting in the work every step of the way. He's wrestling at Pueblo High School and continuing to push himself by training and boxing at Undisputed.

This is what success looks like. It's not always trophies, championships, or recognition. Sometimes success is simply showing up day after day, keeping your word, and doing the work when nobody is watching.

Kai, I couldn't be more proud of you. You've proven that when opportunity meets commitment, amazing things can happen. Don't worry—we'll make sure Undisputed continues to be a place you can call home. Keep showing up, keep working, and keep believing in yourself.

You're already accomplishing great things, and I know the best is still ahead of you.

06/19/2026

Health and fitness are about much more than physical strength, they play a vital role in our mental, emotional, and overall well-being. During the 2026 Bryan Brown Youth Academy, we were honored to welcome Iron Roots Strength & Conditioning and Jazmin back for another year of inspiration, motivation, and fun.

Jazmin led our youth through an exciting kettlebell workout while sharing the importance of developing healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Through movement, encouragement, and positive energy, our youth learned that fitness doesn't have to be a chore, it can be something you enjoy and look forward to.

What makes this partnership even more special is the commitment behind it. Iron Roots traveled nearly three hours from Fountain Hills to spend the day with our youth. That kind of dedication speaks volumes about their passion for investing in Native youth and helping them build confidence, resilience, and healthy lifestyles.

We are incredibly grateful for their continued support and blessed to have Jazmin join us once again. Partnerships like these help make the Bryan Brown Youth Academy possible and provide our youth with valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the camp experience.

Thank you, Iron Roots Strength & Conditioning, for believing in our youth and making the trip to be part of their journey. We can't wait to continue this partnership and see what next year brings!

06/14/2026

Standing at the edge of a 60+ foot cliff can be intimidating. For someone who is afraid of heights, it can feel overwhelming.

Admitting you're scared, facing the fear of the unknown, and still choosing to move forward is something we have all experienced at some point in our lives. For some, that day hasn't come yet, but it will.

At the Bryan Brown Youth Academy, we challenge our youth to step outside their comfort zones and discover what they are truly capable of. In training, many first responders are placed into what is known as "controlled chaos." It is designed to prepare us for difficult situations, to teach us that fear is normal, and to help us learn that courage is not the absence of fear, it's moving forward despite it.

No training can prepare us for every challenge life will place in front of us, but it can teach us something important: no matter what happens, scared or not, we are capable of facing it head-on.

This year, Jinea reminded all of us what courage looks like.

Standing high above the ground, looking over the edge, she admitted she was scared. But she showed up anyway. She strapped in, trusted herself, trusted her team, and took that step forward.

And when she needed a little extra motivation, she embraced the rallying cry of the week:

"DO IT FOR GERTIE!"

We love you, Jinea. We love you, Gertie. Moments like this are what the Bryan Brown Youth Academy is all about, and they are moments that will stay with me forever.

Sometimes the biggest victories in life aren't measured by how high we climb or how far we go—they're measured by our willingness to face our fears and take that first step.

06/11/2026

As we opened the 4th Annual Bryan Brown Youth Academy 2026, we were honored to welcome Tony Johnson and the Native drummers and dancers to help begin our week in a meaningful way.

Tony shared words of encouragement, inspiration, and wisdom with both our youth and staff, reminding us of the importance of knowing who we are, where we come from, and the responsibility we have to those who will come after us.

Through the songs, drumming, and traditional dancing, our youth experienced the beauty, strength, and resilience of the O'odham people. They shared more than a performance, they shared culture, traditions, history, and a living connection to ancestors that continues to guide and inspire future generations.

One of the goals of the Bryan Brown Youth Academy is to help our youth build confidence in themselves while strengthening their connection to their culture and community. Tony Johnson and the dancers helped set that tone from the very beginning, creating an atmosphere of pride, respect, and unity that carried throughout the Academy.

We are truly grateful for their time, talent, and willingness to share these important traditions with our youth. Thank you for helping us start this year's Academy in such a powerful and unforgettable way.

06/09/2026

One of the most important parts of the Bryan Brown Youth Academy happens behind the scenes, in the kitchen.

In Tribal communities, food is more than just a meal. It is connection. It is culture. It is healing. Around food, bonds are formed, stories are shared, laughter is heard, lessons are passed down, and love is shown without ever having to say a word. The kitchen has always been a gathering place for our people, and at the Bryan Brown Youth Academy, that tradition continues.

Our cooks are truly the heart and soul of this camp. They work tirelessly from early morning until late at night to make sure every student, volunteer, presenter, and staff member is taken care of. They keep everyone going, often without asking for recognition, simply because they care deeply about these kids and this mission.

But beyond the meals, they bring warmth, comfort, encouragement, and a sense of home to the Academy. When they get a moment to step away from the kitchen, they laugh with the youth, sit in on presentations, enjoy the activities, and even take part in a little adventure themselves. Those moments matter just as much.

To our kitchen staff and cooks, thank you. Thank you for feeding not only our bodies, but our spirits. Thank you for helping create an environment built on love, community, and togetherness. The Bryan Brown Youth Academy would not be what it is without each and every one of you.

We are truly blessed to have you as part of this family. ❤️

06/07/2026

Prior to the start of the 4th Annual Bryan Brown Youth Academy, I had the incredible honor of sitting down with David Kelly and Cumulus Radio for their long-running weekly Public Affairs Program, Tucson In Review, to talk about the Bryan Brown Foundation, how it began, and the mission that continues to drive us forward every single day. The interview aired on Sunday, May 31st, as we officially kicked off another unforgettable year of the Academy.

What started from tragedy and loss has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined, a movement centered around mentorship, leadership, healing, culture, and giving our Native youth opportunities to see a future bigger than the circumstances around them. Bryan Brown’s legacy is not fading with time; it is living on through these kids, through every mentor, every volunteer, every lesson taught, and every life impacted at this camp.

Bryan dedicated his life to serving and protecting his community, and I made a promise that his name, his heart, and his impact would never be forgotten. As long as I have breath in my body, I will continue giving back to the communities and people who first gave so much to me. This work is personal. This work matters.

I encourage everyone to take a moment to listen to the interview and learn more about the Bryan Brown Foundation, the Youth Academy, and the vision we have for the future of our youth and our communities. Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey, believed in this mission, and helped us continue building something meaningful for the next generation.

Bryan’s legacy lives on. And we’re just getting started.

Julian Garcia - Bryan Brown Foundation

06/07/2026

And just like that, the 2026 Bryan Brown Youth Academy has come to an end.

Our final day was spent reflecting on the experiences, lessons, friendships, and memories that were made throughout the week. Campers worked together to clean up camp, participated in small group discussions, shared feedback, and talked about the impact this experience had on them.

We were also honored to welcome special guest actor Jon Proudstar, who shared his story, experiences, and words of encouragement with our campers as they prepare to take what they’ve learned back to their communities.

Over the past week, these young leaders challenged themselves, stepped outside their comfort zones, learned valuable life skills, explored career opportunities, connected with culture and community, and formed friendships that will last long after camp has ended.

To our campers: thank you for your courage, your curiosity, your laughter, and your willingness to grow. You are the reason this academy exists, and we cannot wait to see the impact you will make in the future.

To our presenters, volunteers, staff, kitchen team, sponsors, supporters, and community partners: thank you for investing your time, knowledge, and heart into this experience. Your dedication helped make this week possible.

As we close out the 2026 Bryan Brown Youth Academy, we do so with full hearts, lasting memories, and hope for the next generation of leaders.

Until next year. ❤️

06/06/2026

Day 4 of the 2026 Bryan Brown Youth Academy was one for the books!

Campers spent the day exploring, learning, and stepping outside their comfort zones through a combination of adventure and cultural experiences.

With the guidance of Altitude Mountain Guides, campers challenged themselves on the rock face, conquering fears and building confidence as they rappelled and climbed in the beautiful Mt. Lemmon landscape.

They also had the opportunity to participate in sessions with Archaeology Southwest, learning about the rich history, culture, and stories that have shaped the region for generations.

The day concluded with an unforgettable evening of music, culture, and celebration as Gertie and the T.O. Boys joined us to share their talent and help celebrate the campers and everything they had accomplished throughout the week.

From the cliffs of Mt. Lemmon to the songs shared around the evening gathering, Day 4 was filled with courage, connection, culture, and community.

Thank you to Altitude Mountain Guides, Archaeology Southwest, Gertie and the T.O. Boys, our volunteers, staff, and kitchen team for helping create another incredible day for our youth.

06/05/2026

A huge thank you to Gertie and the T.O. Boys for bringing the music, the fun, and the celebration to the Bryan Brown Youth Academy.

What an amazing way to recognize our campers and everything they’ve accomplished this week!

06/05/2026

Sometimes the biggest victories happen when we step outside our comfort zone.

Today, campers challenged themselves by rappelling down a rock face with the guidance and support of Altitude Mountain Guides. For many, it meant facing fears, trusting the process, and finding the confidence to take that first step over the edge.

What started as a challenge became a reminder that we are capable of more than we think.

A huge thank you to Altitude Mountain Guides for providing such an incredible experience for our youth!