About Me
Hi, I’m David A. Brown — creative strategist, nonprofit founder, and hands-on problem solver.
I’ve been working since I was 14, starting with cleaning houses and concert halls, then spending 14 years cooking professionally — often while launching my own ventures. That experience taught me how to lead with humility, show up consistently, and build things that last.
In 1998, I founded dabfoto creative services, a boutique photography and design agency that served national conferences, public art commissions, and Fortune 500 clients. My focus was always on telling honest stories with clarity and impact.
In 2000, I launched Spacetaker, a nonprofit built to help Houston artists turn their talent into sustainable careers. We created the Artist Resource Center, Houston’s first online Artist Registry, and the Winter Holiday Art Market (WHAM), which became a vital income stream for local creatives. We also developed one of the city’s earliest systems to aggregate and normalize fragmented cultural arts data—laying the groundwork for more coordinated advocacy, funding, and visibility across Houston’s creative economy.
In 2010, I founded Invest in Houston, a nonprofit focused on neighborhood revitalization through arts and culture. Through partnerships with artists, small businesses, and civic leaders, we developed the Washington Cultural Arts District, bringing new life and shared pride to a historic corridor.
Today, through David A. Brown LLC, I offer consulting, integrative coaching, and creative services to individuals and organizations working toward practical, people-centered change. My approach blends real-world experience, creative strategy, and a belief that strong communities start with listening, alignment, and action.
If you’re looking to build something rooted in purpose, connection, and results — I’d love to talk.