Brandi Slaughter brings two decades of public policy experience to her work, having served nonprofits and government in advocacy and lobbying roles. At the outset of her career, Slaughter offered direct service to children and families — mainly those considered high-risk youth at several settlement houses. As an advocate for policy change, she has supported the development of state and federal policy which has impacted people with disabilities, the health of Ohioans, and children and families, most notably was her work to expand Medicaid in Ohio and defend the Affordable Care Act at the congressional level. Representing Ohio’s mainline Christian denominations, Slaughter has led efforts to protect democracy as well as abolish the death penalty.
Currently, Slaughter is an associate clinical professor and program director for the Karabelle Pizzigati Initiative in Advocacy for Children, Youth, and Families at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. Through teaching, Slaughter has inspired students to use their power and influence to advocate for reform. As program director for the Pizzigati Initiative, Slaughter increases the pool of diverse, visionary leaders with the confidence and competence to lead and sustain major systems reform for children. In addition to these roles, Slaughter serves as associate director of advocacy and outreach for the Maryland Initiative on Learning & Equity (MILE) where she coordinates a statewide coalition aimed at prioritizing the science of reading in policy discussions and practice. Her passion for bringing voice to marginalized communities is apparent in all of her work.
Slaughter is an ordained clergywoman with the Church of God in Christ and has served in various ministry positions. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Morgan State University and a Juris Doctor from Capital University with a concentration in Child and Family Law. Understanding that service is a debt we owe, Slaughter serves on the board of trustees at Columbus School for Girls and Death Penalty Action. She is also a member of the Prince George’s County NAACP. In December 2023, she received Strong Schools Maryland’s Malcolm Funn Award in recognition of her commitment and support of Maryland’s children and their education. Slaughter is the proud mom of one son and dog mom to her precious pooch, Peaches.