August Donor of the Month: Ashlee Mosley Brown - UWF BA in Religious Studies, c/o 2004

Our family business, Native Café, supports UWF Athletics because we're a family of UWF alums, and we believe in the power of student-athletes! Athletics played an instrumental role in the formative and educational experiences of the café's owners. Jesse and I met in high school when I was his "Secret Cheerleader," and he was my assigned Football Player on the Varsity Team. I also did gymnastics, while he played basketball, and baseball, and participated in track and field. Jesse's sister, Arin Brown, another proud UWF alum and one of the owners of Native Café, also benefited from an athletic career in swimming while growing up. Last but certainly not least, our parents, Joyce and Charlie Brown, also owners at Native Café, were deeply involved in coaching, booster clubs, and more because they believed in the benefits of student athletics.

Supporting a state university right here in our backyard makes sense for our business: Native Café celebrates the people, beauty, and food of the Pensacola area, so what better way to honor our local vibe than by cheering on the proud UWF Argonauts? We love having a high-performing state university in our hometown that means so much to us.

Why do you continue to give annually?

We give annually for two reasons: first, we believe it's our responsibility to give back to the university that gave so much to us in our academic careers and that continues to contribute to our Pensacola community; and second, because I love the camaraderie of being part of the Athletics Program, even as an alum – I still feel connected to my beloved alma mater in a very real way.

What would you say is the best thing about supporting UWF Athletics?

I am a cheerleader through and through, and being part of the fervor and excitement on game days is thrilling to me! Plus, the reserved parking lot and assigned seats for games are huge benefits to our family. I get to support my beloved Argos, cheer loudly and proud, and wear my favorite UWF Blue and Green!

What makes you passionate about UWF Athletics?

I am immensely impressed with the UWF Athletics Program. It wasn't until our business started sponsoring UWF Athletics, particularly through the introduction of the Football Program, that we realized how deeply the sense of excellence we saw with the Football Program permeated all of UWF Athletics. Being a sponsor gives us access to a lot of real-time information about how our student-athletes are excelling in their sports, the classroom, and the community, which makes us immensely proud to be alums and sponsors of all athletic programs at UWF.

Anything else you'd like to add? For instance, a proud moment as an Argo fan or an experience you enjoyed.

As a cheerleader for 16 years growing up and as someone who has been friends with many athletic mascots (including Argie at UWF from 2001-2003), I absolutely adore Argie. I think he is the cutest mascot there ever was, and I get giddy when I see him interacting with the crowds. When our restaurant, Native Café, went through an exciting remodel and expansion in 2023, we partnered with UWF Athletics to have Argie and some cheerleaders on-site for our Grand Opening. When I walked in that day, the room was full of community partners, but I only had eyes for one person—er, mascot. Argie was seated in a place of honor with a plate of food in front of him, surrounded by UWF cheerleaders, and I fangirled at a level "ten." I ran up to him and interacted with him like the cheerleader I am. I wanted pictures, hugs, and for him to tell me how he felt about Native Café and the plate of food in front of him. Argie, ever the perfect water warrior and gentleman, humored me with all the head nods, high fives, and thumbs up. I have never been more proud to be an Argo than in that moment. The skills I learned at UWF, and that these students are currently learning, gave me a very full-circle moment. I am grateful to be an ARGO.

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