Shan Tannya Brown
Shan Tannya Brown is the Owner and CEO of The Rite Writers LLC, a business she launched to help individuals tell their stories with authenticity, emotion, and care. With more than 20 years of experience in writing roles across universities and elite academic institutions—including the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics—Shan has built a career rooted in communication, storytelling, and service. Today, she offers a wide range of services including grant and scholarship writing, obituaries, wedding vows, poetry, and notary support, working alongside her daughter, an accomplished writer pursuing a doctorate in education.
Her journey into entrepreneurship was shaped by a deeply personal loss. After the tragic death of her best friend, Tracy Lee McCoy, Shan channeled her grief into purpose by establishing a scholarship in Tracy’s honor at North Carolina Central University. Through that process, she discovered her ability to craft complex, impactful writing—so much so that her work was mistaken for that of a legal professional. This pivotal moment gave her the confidence to step fully into her capabilities and begin offering her writing services to others, transforming a moment of loss into a legacy of opportunity and support.
Shan’s work is guided by a powerful philosophy: helping people express what they cannot always put into words themselves. She is especially known for bringing calm and clarity to emotionally charged writing, such as obituaries, where she focuses on honoring the full story of a person’s life—not just loss, but personality, humor, and legacy. In an age of automation, Shan emphasizes the irreplaceable value of human emotion and personal touch in storytelling. Through her work, she continues to uplift others, using her voice and experience to turn stories into meaningful, lasting tributes.
• University of Phoenix- M.A.
• University of Phoenix- B.A.
• Juvenile Diabetes Award (2002 or 2003)
• UNC Carolina Black Caucus
• Durham Special Olympics at Lion Park Recreation
• Durham Rescue Mission (holiday food service events)
• Habitat for Humanity (worked on at least 5 houses)
• Tracy Lee McCoy Scholarship at North Carolina Central University (established 2023)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence, believing in myself, and a pivotal moment when I successfully created and launched a scholarship in honor of my friend Tracy Lee McCoy. That experience showed me I could handle complex writing and gave me the confidence to start offering my skills publicly.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It’s never too late to start your dream, and whether you’re just beginning or starting later, believe in yourself, allow others to support you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges I'm facing right now are that it's hard in this economy, first of all. I'm trying to find a job that fits my degree. I've been on probably 20 interviews in the last year and I haven't landed a job yet. My master's in Instructional Design is going to help me write different programs for education. I want to be behind the scenes writing instruction, so I'm looking for something that aligns with that while running my business on the side.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are self-belief and resilience, serving my community and others, being open to support, and viewing my past as a starting point for growth rather than a limitation.