"Walking the Tightrope" with Blondell Reynolds Brown

It’s only been a few months since the esteemed Blondell Reynolds Brown joined our team here at Frank DiCicco Associates (FDA). Her energy, outspokenness, and insight have already been a boon to our clients and opened new doors for Philadelphia businesses both big and small. As she is such a fountain of ideas and optimism, it’s often hard to imagine that this working mother and grandmother has time to sleep! 

We sat down with Blondell to learn more about her storied career and catch up on her first few months with FDA. 

You've been friends with Frank DiCicco for years. What was your first impression of him? How would you describe him? 

Frank! He and I worked together for 12 years in Philadelphia’s City Council, and he is gracefully candid, diplomatic, and an amazing businessman. We have been able to build consensus and understanding on even the most challenging issues. We are always able to laugh even when we disagree!

You've worn many hats over the years, from dance teacher to Councilwoman to now lobbyist. What's the common thread connecting all those experiences that makes you excel? 

I learned from my mother that it takes all kinds of people to make the world go around. We come from different backgrounds and places, with different ideas and dreams. In all my roles, I bring a willingness to listen, to understand, and to work with all types of people. I am a people person, and I’m a listener.  

Time to brag: What do you consider your personal "greatest hits" over the course of your career? 

Walking a tightrope, backwards, in high heels, while blindfolded! (laughs) I was an active, present, and engaged mother while working a demanding career and volunteering. I give myself and other working women that credit — that is our greatest hit. Working mothers have to show up for their families and still perform to the highest expectations in their career. When I first began serving as a City Councilmember, I was the ONLY one with a toddler! I like to think that the four toddlers who came after my daughter benefitted from me opening a few doors. 

I am also fond of my time with PhilaDanco and Girls, Inc. With both those organizations, I acquired skills that I might not have learned elsewhere in my career. Board involvement helps you build and polish tangible skills that you can use in your career in a myriad of ways. You must be willing to volunteer time, talent, and often your treasure to gain those skills.

What's the "secret sauce" to government, corporations, nonprofits, and small businesses working together in Philadelphia? 

The short answer is public-private partnerships. In any large municipality like Philadelphia, for innovative, collaborative, and systemic change solutions to evolve, there must be strong, experienced leadership across sectors that share an alignment of common goals for public-private partnerships. We can look at any social issue and concede that the government cannot solve problems alone. It takes strong leadership to nudge large government departments, which are often accustomed to moving at a snail’s pace inside the bureaucracy, to force systems to change. 

Non-profits tend to be undercapitalized, even when they master doing more with less, all while swimming upstream. The for-profit sector can be more nimble, versatile, and innovative, but not always as socially responsible or accountable as a city might need it to be. We hold our breath when we can count on corporate citizens who truly embrace and demonstrate tangible actions that symbolize “citizenship.” Working together, with clearly defined and prescribed goals and benchmarks, these three sectors can reveal and cast light upon each other’s strengths, creating a win-win for all. 

How would you explain what FDA does to someone who has no idea how lobbying works? 

I would say that FDA serves as an advocate, advisor, and where appropriate, champion for an issue, a cause, or an idea for legislation that we can advance for the common good. We “campaign” for our clients in a way that arms the principals with the information, research, and data required to ensure a “win” after the agreed-upon strategy has been executed. 

Time for your elevator pitch: Why should someone hire FDA over another option?

Do you have a mission that needs the bell rung, loudly? Do you have a new development within your organization that needs public awareness? Do you need an ally who can energize, influence, and raise the volume meter button for your effort within the members of the Philadelphia City Council and the City Administration? Then FDA is the government relations firm you have been waiting for!  

FDA offers access to former elected officials who collectively spent 32 years on City Council. They enjoy rich legislative accomplishments and records on a breadth of issues that range from real estate development to advancing the needs and life chances of women, children, and families. FDA is a diverse organization. In a majority minority city, with women and people of color at the tables, diversity matters. FDA has an impressive mix of clients, large and small, corporate and non-profit, who each have unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that need our expertise. We pride ourselves on cultivating relationships that foster favorable, goal-driven outcomes for our clients. 

“Predictable results, unexpected wins,” consistency in purpose — that’s FDA.

Learn more about Blondell’s impressive career on our team page.