In Loving Memory

Ishmael Nkrumah Brown, a cherished resident of Tarzana, California, passed away on February 9, 2020 at the age of 40. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Ishmael was the son of Myrtle E. Brown and Oscar L. Raphael. His beloved grandmother, Clara R. Brown, lovingly raised him.

Following a successful high school career at Mount Pleasant High School, Providence, RI—where he earned the nickname "Bad Newz Brown" on the football field—Ishmael attended Pomfret School in Connecticut for a postgraduate year. There, he continued his football career and became an All-New England wrestler.

Pursuing higher education, Ishmael attended Trinity College in Hartford, CT, where he played football and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. It was during this period that Ishmael discovered his passion for filmmaking, writing and shooting short student films.

After graduating from Trinity College, Ishmael returned to Pomfret School as an Admissions Officer and dorm parent. His love for writing and filmmaking eventually took him to Los Angeles, CA, to explore a career in the film industry as a screenwriter. In LA, Ishmael worked for Anonymous Content, a prestigious management/production company, as a production assistant on commercials. Simultaneously, he honed his writing and acting skills by attending classes in his spare time. Eventually, he transitioned from screenwriting to prose and enjoyed a career in sales.

Ishmael's creative adventures also led him to start a podcast called "The Angry Black Rant." With thousands of loyal listeners, he quickly gained popularity for his humor, insight, and unique perspectives. His ultimate dream was to write novels and to continue exploring his creativity until the end.

Ishmael was preceded in death by his grandmother, Clara R. Brown, and his mother, Myrtle E. Raphael. He will be greatly missed by his father, Oscar L. Raphael; his siblings, Shaun Brown, Eboney Brown, Clarice McClung, Raymond Diandrea, Raheim McClung, Rahiem Raphael, and Akeem Raphael; along with nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and countless loved ones.