BREAKING: The CEO of a Battle Creek nonprofit has been charged with welfare fraud, allegedly defrauding the state of over $20,000 in food assistance. Damon Dupree Brown, 47, was arrested on December 22, 2023, and subsequently arraigned in Calhoun County District Court on December 23.
Authorities report that Brown is accused of fraudulently applying for and receiving food assistance between 2020 and 2024, while misrepresenting his income. Court documents indicate that he declared either no income or less than $2,000 per month, despite tax returns revealing earnings of over $77,000 in 2021, nearly $118,000 in 2022, and just over $126,000 in 2023.
This shocking development raises serious questions about the integrity of nonprofit leadership. Brown founded R.I.S.E. Corp. (Reintegration to Support and Empower) in 2017, aiming to uplift youth in his community. He has publicly shared his own past struggles, including a 12-year prison sentence for drug offenses, to inspire young people to avoid crime and violence.
At a recent community event, Winter Jam 2025, Brown expressed his commitment to guiding youth towards responsibility and success. “We have got to be able to teach these kids responsibility and how to be responsible adults,” he told MLive. The nonprofit’s mission focuses on re-engaging disconnected youth, but this fraud case could undermine its credibility.
In addition to the welfare fraud charge, Brown faces additional allegations, including possession of stolen property, possession of a concealed weapon by a prohibited person, and resisting or obstructing a police officer.
The community now watches intently as Brown’s case unfolds, questioning the future of R.I.S.E. Corp. and its impact on the youth it serves. Local officials and community members are calling for transparency and accountability in the wake of these serious charges.
As this story develops, updates will be provided on the legal proceedings and their implications for the nonprofit sector in Battle Creek and beyond. Share this urgent news to raise awareness about the serious issues surrounding nonprofit leadership and accountability.
