In 1971, Brown co-founded the Institute for Open Education, a program for working adults seeking access to higher education. The program eventually expanded to become Cambridge College. Brown was the college's inaugural president.
Dr. L. Joy Gates Black has been serving as vice chancellor for academic affairs at Tarrant County College District in Fort Worth, Texas. She joined the staff at Tarrant County College in 2010. Earlier, Dr. Gates Black served in administrative roles at community colleges in Texas, California, and Massachusetts.