Betty Brown was born November 25, 1946 in San Francisco, California, but grew up in Lakota, Michigan. She is the oldest child of eight borne by Clara Lucille (née Williams) Brown and Benjamin Franklin Brown. She has four sisters and three brothers. Betty’s siblings are Gail Lee Brown Patterson, the first African American South Haven councilwoman, former daycare owner, and youth librarian; Frances Elaine Brown Ray, a retired teacher, churchwoman, and deaconess; Sandra Maria Brown-Bingham, Benjamin 'Frankie' Franklin Brown, Jr., organic farmer and healthcare worker; Carolyn Evonne Brown Rowles, social worker; David Sterling Brown; and Daniel Scott Brown.

In the 1970s, Brown-Chappell met her future husband, Michael James Chappell, a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. The couple married in 1975 in Toledo, Ohio. They have two adult children, Dr. Michael Jahi Chappell and Aisha Chappell.

Despite being born into poverty, Brown-Chappell and her siblings all finished college. Brown-Chappell left for college with$400 and no job or scholarships. With the help of financial aid, part time jobs, and smart budgeting, she put herself through school. In 1969, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Pre-Social Work. She continued her education at the University of Michigan and earned a Masters of Social Work with a concentration in Social Treatment in 1971.

After earning her master’s degree, Brown-Chappell began working at the Detroit Health Department as a Social Case Worker. She also worked at the Detroit Commission on Community Relations as a Community Service Assistant. In 1973, she went to work at the University of Michigan as a field instructor. After a few other jobs and some practical experience, Brown-Chappell decided to focus on an academic career. She worked at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, DePaul University, the University of Chicago, and Illinois State University. While working in Illinois, Brown-Chappell earned her PhD from the University of Chicago in 1991. After earning her doctorate, she returned to the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor in 1992. She remained at the University of Michigan until 1996 when she took a position as a Professor at Eastern Michigan University.

In 2008, Brown-Chappell became the Associate Director for the McNair Scholars Program, which she helped bring to EMU. She has served on many other committees. Over the span of her near three-decade career, Brown-Chappell has won many awards and published a number of articles and recently, a book. One of her many awards and recognitions includes the College of Health and Human Service’s Everett L. Marshall Award for Distinguished Service. She was named in Today’s Chicago Woman ‘100 Women to Watch.’ Dr. Brown-Chappell also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Detroit Mayor’s Office and Senior Citizen’s Department. Some of Brown-Chappell’s publications include “Caregiver Support Policy and Trends for the Future” and “NASW Aging Section Connection” from January 2008. She also published “Licensure for Social Workers: One Step Closer” in 2004 for the “Connections” newsletter. During Brown-Chappell’s service as Associate Director of the McNair Scholars Program, she helped produce the “McNair Chronicles” journal at EMU. At her collection's opening reception at the Wright Museum, Brown-Chappell signed copies of her new book, Open Secrets - A Poor Person's Journey in HIgher Education.