Kode Brown, 28, works as the assistant manager of White Rabbit, where he’s worked since 2010. Believe it or not, he’s a Charlotte native (you don’t always see ‘em around!). He graduated from Providence High School in 2004. At White Rabbit, he’s in charge of a slew of tasks, including decorating the store’s front window and a new YouTube video series exploring the store’s offerings.
What did you do after high school?
I worked at a pizzeria, Avanti Italian Restaurant, for six years. I started out as a salad maker and ended up being a manager. I liked it, but they changed owners and I decided I would leave. I moved to Sumter, S.C., to live with my father for a about seven months and came back to Charlotte in November 2009.
What is it you enjoy about working at White Rabbit?
You meet lots of different types of people here. I like seeing the diversity of the gay community. It’s fun. I like that I’m comfortable being in my own skin and that I get to help other people be comfortable in theirs.
Do you see a lot of customers who are just coming out of the closet or new to the community?
We do get a lot of people who are just coming out. We try to give them info about what’s going on in the gay community. We hand them a qnotes and tell them here’s what’s going on in Charlotte and in North Carolina and what the community is providing.
What’s your most memorable experience at the store?
We get such a variety of different people here. It’s a great experience. You meet transgender people. You meet drag queens. You meet butch guys and feminine guys. You meet so many different types, any thing is memorable. We even get straight people. Every day is a new experience. You meet someone new, weird or funny. People can make you laugh or some have sad stories. Everyday is memorable.
What kind of underwear do most people buy?
A lot of the guys are buying boxer briefs or jock straps.
Since you’re selling them, it’s only fair to ask: what do you prefer?
I prefer boxer briefs. They are long enough on your thigh but still give you the same support as a brief.
What’s your favorite music?
It’s mostly Pop and R&B and lately I’ve been trailing off to Country. I have a mixture. I’m very eclectic. I’ve been listening to [female rappers] Azealia Banks and Iggy Azalea. It’s really funny, because I’ll go from that to Country’s Luke Bryan and back to someone like Pharrell. It goes to so many extremes, it’s really funny.
When you’re not working, what do you like to do?
I go to the movies a lot. I’m not a club person, so I don’t go out much. I hang out with my friends and mostly I’m just a homebody.
What kind of movies do you like?
I like romantic comedies and super-hero action movies, but the last movie I saw was “American Hustle.”
What’s your favorite TV show?
“Glee.” It’s my favorite because of all the musical aspects. I’m still a thespian at heart.
Did you act in high school?
All four years. I did both musicals and plays, both behind scene on tech crew and on stage as an actor. I really enjoyed “Hello, Dolly!” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
What’s up with this new White Rabbit video series?
The videos are based around White Rabbit and what it offers the community. It’s not just about underwear. We talk about our cards for special occasions, movies and we’re going to talk about books. It’s all generally what we offer in the store for the community. The idea came when I was just hanging out with a friend and him inspiring me. He said you have a face and a voice, let’s do some videos. He edits all the videos. We’re having fun with it and we’re going to keep going until there’s nothing left to talk about, but there’s always something new to talk about. In the future, we’re even going to try to do interviews with people in the community, so people, watch out! I’m coming for you!
— Learn more about White Rabbit at whiterabbitbooks.com, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/whiterabbitstore or see their new video series at youtube.com/user/WhiteRabbitstoreNC.