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Inspiration June 18, 2018
Get to know this activist, educator and writer.
Brittany Packnett is a #WomanThatDoes.
As to what exactly it is that she does? Well, it almost might be easier to ask what she doesn’t do.
A graduate of Washington University and American University, the St. Louis native works in pursuit of social justice, equality and the empowerment of women. She emphasizes the unique obstacles that women of color face. Now an activist, educator, writer and speaker, Brittany has held a variety of jobs that all focus on bettering the world. For instance, she worked as an elementary school teacher, legislative staffer and education policy activist.
Take a look at how Brittany is making her mark on the world today.
In case you’re unfamiliar, Teach for America is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing equal educational opportunities, regardless of where a child is from. The organization recruits corps members from across the country to provide a quality education in low-income communities.
Brittany became involved with Teach for America as a corps member in 2007. Then, she served as an executive director for St. Louis. Under her leadership there, TFA launched a local institute, increased diversity and developed a “culturally responsive pedagogy.”
Today, she’s the vice president of National Community Alliances. In this role, Brittany is responsible for setting the civil rights agenda for the organization.
In 2014, Brittany went to Ferguson to protest police brutality. Along with DeRay Mckesson, Johnetta Elzie and Samuel Sinyangwe, she founded Campaign Zero, a policy platform dedicated to ending police violence.
Her efforts helped provide clear directives and organize an understandably emotionally-charged movement. Campaign Zero laid out a comprehensive solution which details a ten-step plan for ending police brutality. It was this work that not only earned her the number three spot on POLTICO’s 2016 list of the 50 Most Influential People but also the 2015 Peter Jennings Award for Civic Leadership. She earned both along with Mckesson.
Her fighting for justice in Ferguson also led her to President Obama. Packnett was a member of his Task Force on 21st Century Policing and the Ferguson Commission, which was created by executive order. The commission’s job was to recommend policy change and chart a new path forward following the death of Michael Brown.
The president spoke highly of Brittany during an interview with The Atlantic, saying, “I thought Brittany Packnett, who was one of the Ferguson activists, really interesting, smart young lady, really impressive—you might want to talk with her. So she was one of the organizers of the Ferguson movement, ended up joining our task force. She came in here and she just knew her stuff.”
Have you ever wanted activist clothing? Don’t worry, Brittany made it happen. It’s available for purchase here.
Her brand, Love + Power, allows you to proudly wear you desire for change in the world. This seems apt considering how fiercely outspoken Brittany herself is. The company states that it was built on the idea of the “boundless capacity of everyday people to change the world.”
What’s more? You can sign up for a free subscription to Love + Power. You’ll receive inspiration, updates and notices on when new apparel comes in. Who knew fixing the broken system could look so good?
Leaders have to be willing to stand up for what they believe is right and that’s exactly what Brittany does.
For starters, she is not afraid to use her voice. She travels around the world to speak about the many inequalities that exist. In many instances, she talks about how the wage gap not only disadvantages women, but even more so women of color. Additionally, she talks about how it is crucial for women need to elevate other women.
Those aren’t the only ways she uses her voice. She contributes to various media outlets. She’s a video contributor to Mic, a part of the Crooked Media network and has been featured in The Washington Post, NPR and the BBC among other publications.
Due to her efforts, organizations such as Emily’s List and the NAACP honored Brittany. In 2015, TIME Magazine named her one of the 12 New Faces of Black Leadership.
Oh, and you know how confident leaders are strong leaders? Brittany wrote a whole series on self-love.
Ultimately, it would be impossible to talk about all of Brittany’s accomplishments. There’s no doubt she will do more in the future.
