If we ever need someone to fill in for us at Greensboro Daily Photo, we know who to call, Katja Brown. She attends so many community events that our paths and Facebook postings cross frequently. In addition to visual and performing arts events, Katja takes a special interest in social justice and world peace. Through serving on the boards of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro and the Piedmont Interfaith Council, she volunteers regularly, promoting the understanding and appreciation of cultural and religious differences. Katja was born and raised in a tight-knit community of 500 people in a village near Frankfurt, Germany. It was a community where people knew each other’s names and cared for each other. She has found that same sense of community in the UU Church of Greensboro.

Katja and her husband have two high school children who attend a charter school and are also very engaged in community activities. In addition to church and family activities, Katja is involved in the German language club of Greensboro. She loves the luxury of time, afforded by not having to work outside the home. She savors having time to take food to friends who are not feeling well and cooking the recipes she learned in cooking school in Italy this past summer.

The above photo was taken on Battleground Avenue at the big oak tree in the same complex as Earth Fare. Katja’s grandfather’s name was “Baum” or “tree” and so her connection to trees runs deep. She had just finished a session of core fitness training and had hardly caught her breath. We are grateful to have caught up with her; and, more importantly, we are grateful to know her. 

Her favorite quote is from Einstein: “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” We don’t agree with the former statement, but the latter is definitely true. Katja loves hearing new ideas, learning new things, and taking time to appreciate nature’s beauty- especially on Greensboro’s public trails with her trusty dog Apollo. When asked what she loves about Greensboro, her response was, “what’s NOT to love about Greensboro? With all of the universities and colleges in the area, there is so much to do.” And indeed, Katja is a do-er, of good, kindhearted things. Today is ABC Wednesday and, for our A-Z People Series, K is for Katja- a dear friend to Greensboro Daily Photo.