Brandy Lovelady Mitchell is the Deputy Superintendent, focusing on Preschool-12 Learning and Leadership, for Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Mitchell began her career at what is now Kent County’s Network 180, connecting children and families to mental health and substance abuse services. From there, she was a School Counselor, Guidance Classroom Teacher, Consultant, and Principal.
Her contributions to education earned her recognition from Eastern Michigan University as a “Scholar of Excellence” and an “Educator to Watch.” In 2015 and 2016, she was invited to the White House as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative. She also serves on the Michigan Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Mitchell is Chair of the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
Mitchell’s doctoral studies focused on high-achieving Black males at the secondary level to help educators and key stakeholders shift the narrative from pathologies to the success stories of staff and children of color.