My grandfather: Odds Defier, Vietnam Veteran, Emmy Winner, Harley-Davidson Rider, Marathon Runner, Everyday Hero.

When I was in fourth grade, we wrote our first five-paragraph essay—it was a big deal. The prompt? "Your hero." I didn’t hesitate for a second before choosing my grandfather, George L. Miles Jr. And if I were given the same prompt today, my answer wouldn’t change.

He is the coolest person I know. And granddaughter bias aside—I think you’ll agree.

A Life of Defying Expectations

Born and raised in the projects of New Jersey as the eldest of seven, my grandfather was told he wasn’t “college material.” Not only did he go to college, but he earned a master’s degree and two honorary Ph.D.s. After serving in Vietnam, he became the first Black hire at Touche Ross accounting firm before pivoting into the broadcasting industry, where he earned the nickname “the turnaround guy.”

His career was nothing short of extraordinary—leading major media organizations, serving as CEO of WNET/13 in New York and WQED Multimedia in Pittsburgh (where he helped produce Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood), and earning multiple Emmy Awards along the way. He’s served on the boards of companies like Harley-Davidson, WESCO International, and AIG and has been recognized as one of the “Fifty Most Influential African Americans” by The New Pittsburgh Courier.

But beyond the accolades and career milestones, my grandfather has always lived life to the fullest—running marathons, playing tennis, and even learning to ride a Harley when he joined their board. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of the Sundays after church when we would ride our bicycles together through Pittsburgh.

The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

On Christmas Day in 2018, my grandfather lost his ability to walk—seemingly overnight. Instead of celebrating, we spent the holiday in an emergency room in the Dominican Republic, an hour from our resort—where my years of Spanish lessons were truly put to the test. The medical team got him stable enough to return to the U.S. in a wheelchair, but we knew we needed answers.

For four years, we searched for them.

Doctor after doctor. Test after test. A frustrating cycle of uncertainty. Then, in January 2023, we finally had an answer: Parkinson’s.

Adjusting to this “new normal” has been a learning curve for our family. But true to his nature, my grandfather took the challenge head-on. He hits the gym daily to maintain his strength, endures trial-and-error medications, juggles doctor’s appointments, and keeps a level of optimism that inspires everyone around him. He is the embodiment of SISU—unyielding determination in the face of hardship.

Why This Matters

What weighs heavily on my heart is knowing that, despite the challenges my grandfather faces, he is still privileged. He has access to resources, support, and care that so many others with Parkinson’s do not. It is our responsibility to support them.

The hardest truth I’ve had to accept is that there’s nothing I can do to change his diagnosis. And I would give just about anything to. But what I can do is raise awareness, fund research, and support those fighting this disease.

If this is your first time on my website—welcome, I’m so happy you’re here. If you’ve been following me for a while, you might already know that I started Brounn in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, after the loss of my paternal grandfather, Terryl LaRue Brown. That loss sparked an intense fascination with legacy—what we leave behind, what we build, and how we are remembered.

Now, I have the opportunity to expand Brounn from a personal legacy project into a platform for service—one that supports a cause incredibly close to my heart.

Poppop—this, and everything I do, is for you.

Love Always,
Taylor Janet