In February, Akia Brown released her self-published memoir. A few months later, she learned her decision to reveal her life in print would get her children dismissed from school.
The book, "Beyond Love," details Brown's journey from a single parent in Detroit to her current life as a mom of six (soon to be seven) in North Atlanta who said she is happy in an open marriage with her husband.
It took a few months for news of her book to travel to administrators at Mount Paran Christian School in Kennesaw where her daughter had been a student for two years and her son was set to begin pre-K this fall.
In late July, Brown received a call from two administrators at the school. Via speaker phone, they told her that her daughter would not be allowed to return and her son was being denied admission.
Mount Paran is a private Christian, non-denominational, college preparatory day school that serves students ages 3 through grade 12. Parents are required to sign a covenant agreement upon enrollment, said school officials. The admission policy states:
The applicant and his/her parents must express a belief of biblical teachings, and a willingness to follow them, as well as student and parent’s affirmation of faith. Parents and students must read and agree to support the Statement of Faith (p. 4-5 in parent/student handbook on MPCS website), commit to uphold Christian principles in their daily lives, and actively participate in a local church body. As a covenant Christian school, MPCS reserves the right to determine whether Mount Paran Christian School is an appropriate placement for the applicant and/or the family. MPCS reserves the right to deny acceptance, terminate, or suspend enrollment of students at the school’s discretion with non-disclosure of reasons.
In this case, the school did give a reason -- Brown and her husband's open marriage -- but Brown wanted the opportunity to plead her case.
"They haven’t even read the book. I don’t know how they even found out about the book," said Brown. Brown said her daughter, a shy first grader, was flourishing at Mount Paran and misses her friends. She and her husband had made sure their children were supported academically and socially, she said.
In the book, Brown describes her nontraditional life. Her husband, Brian Maurice Brown was incarcerated for almost 10 years on drug charges. In 2012, he started BMB Records which has hosted a roster of hip-hop artists including Charli Baltimore and Ray J.
According to a recent story in the Detroit News, the company has been under investigation by the DEA since 2013 . Brian Maurice Brown has not been charged with a drug-related crime.
Over the years, their relationship evolved from husband and wife to one between her, her husband and at least two other women they refer to as "wife-in-laws." In the vein of urban nonfiction, Brown offers salacious details, but she contends the book is about unconditional love.
Brown said she was able to enroll her children in a new Christian school. She told the school administrators right upfront what happened and explained her views, an opportunity she said she never had at Mount Paran.
"Yes, (the book) discusses open marriage – or what others may consider an open marriage – but the real meaning and everything I have ever talked about is unconditional love and having a forgiving heart," Brown said.
About the Author
