We’re excited to welcome Dedra Brown to the Parent Empowerment Institute as our newest Parent Advocate! In this role, Ms. Brown will be supporting parents through group facilitation, one-on-one connections, and sharing resources—all grounded in her deep understanding of the challenges many families face.
What sets Dedra apart is her powerful lived experience, which gives her a unique ability to connect with families, offer real empathy, and guide them toward hope and healing.
Meet Dedra Brown: From Experience to Empowerment
Dedra Brown is a Youth Mentor and Crime Prevention Advocate who has turned her personal journey into a mission for change. After spending 22 years in gang life and enduring the tragic loss of her brother, she made a courageous decision to transform her pain into purpose.
Today, she’s a respected leader in youth empowerment and community healing, working with the David Davis Youth Center and in collaboration with Rodney Love to create programs that teach youth leadership, accountability, and the value of community.
Her work has earned her an NAACP award, recognizing her unwavering commitment to crime prevention and uplifting the next generation.
Dedra’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and hope—and we’re proud to have her as part of our team.
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In Her Own Words: A Conversation with Dedra
Want to get to know Dedra a little better?
We asked her a few questions about her role and passion for advocacy.
Q: Can you introduce yourself?
A: My name is Dedra R. Brown, and I’m 48 years old. I’m a proud mother of five and grandmother of four. I’ve lived in Toledo, Ohio all my life, and I serve as a parent advocate through my own lived experience.
Q: What are you most excited about in your new role?
A: I’m excited to help families know they are not alone—that they have someone by their side who’s been through what they’re facing. I want to not only support them emotionally but also help them understand and complete their case plans.
Q: Why is advocacy important to you?
A: Advocacy is important because some people just don’t understand the system or their rights—they need someone to be their voice, and I’m here for that.
If you’d like to learn more about Dedra or our parent support programs, please visit Parent Empowerment Institute webpage.
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Let’s give Dedra a warm welcome!