Love & Dating | February 15th, 2025

FAMU’S Finest 25′: Nikiyah Brown

By: Jarrett Johnson | Staff Writer

Nikiyah Brown has accomplished many things since her time at FAMU. She is a member of the 54th Student Senate, Presidential Ambassador and was recently crowned Miss Progressive Black MEN. Above all, the self-proclaimed ‘country girl’ from Cairo, Georgia, is a lover. 

Brown, a third-year psychology scholar, is proud of her small-town, southern roots. For her, bringing access and opportunities to her community pushes her daily. 

“We don’t have that many opportunities, and I want to show people that [success] is very much possible,” Brown stated. “I want to be the example. Anytime I achieve something, it’s not just for myself … any win I have is for my hometown and the people that look up to me.”   

Coming from a large and loving family where she is the youngest of eight children has made family important for Brown. Growing up, she valued seeing the love between her grandparents and believes that they are the couple that best embodies black love. 

‘I love how they cater to each other; they’re always around each other,” She stated. “If one is away for too long, they’re on the phone calling each other, and I want that. I want to be able to stand on my own but still know that I have my person I can call to be right beside me.”  

Brown expressed how much she loves love, especially between black people. 

“It gives me joy to see two black people working together to build [a life together.],” Brown said. “The fact that it’s real, raw and transparent. That is glorious! Black people on their own are good, but finding a partner that can match your energy, mindset and goals is beautiful. That is what transcends time and breaks generational curses. I think black love can undo the separation in our community and mend us as a people.”  

Having recently gotten into a serious romantic relationship, she sees black love in a new light.  

“I used to think that loving, especially in the black community, had to be hard,” Brown said. “I used to think that you had to have trials and tribulations in order for your love to come out like pure gold, but actually if you really love that person it doesn’t have to be hard.”  

Brown noted that seeing the rocky relationship between her parents growing up made her believe that romantic relationships came with many more hardships than she does now.  

“I grew up in a two-parent household, but they also had struggles … it wasn’t perfect,” She said. “I saw black love between them, too, but it was more up and down. It’s generational, I think. My dad was still figuring things out, but there was still love there.”  

An essential aspect of Brown’s life is her faith in God; growing up in the church, she feels that her relationship with God has led her to success. She also credits her faith for her ability to love freely.  

“Knowing that God loves me, it helps me love other people,” She stated. His grace for me allows me to give others grace. When it comes to love, that’s how I think about it. It should be a relationship where we give each other grace, we learn and motivate each other.”  

She encourages hopeful singles to focus on getting to honestly know someone before jumping into anything serious.  

“The more you plan to get into a relationship, the more it doesn’t happen,” Brown said. “For me, it came naturally. I would say go into it with an open mind. Look for transparency, honesty and effort. When you pick your partner, pick someone you can struggle with and go through stuff with. You need to get someone who understands you and adds value to your life.”