Brandy Lovelady Mitchell

Lovelady Mitchell voted to approve Grand Rapids Community College’s 2026–2027 budget and property tax levy. The levy fell from 1.6793 to 1.6603 mills under Michigan’s required Headlee rollback. Both measures passed 6–0.

June 1, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell urged parents to press elected officials to protect public school funding and support arts, physical education, and counseling. She described volunteering with Kids’ Food Basket, Kentwood Community Church, and KConnect. She also supported Grand Rapids school fundraising and youth sports.

June 4, 2015Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: rapidgrowthmedia.com

Lovelady Mitchell voted to approve Grand Rapids Community College’s 2026–2027 budget and property tax levy. The levy fell from 1.6793 to 1.6603 mills under Michigan’s required Headlee rollback. Both measures passed 6–0.

June 1, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell jointly presented Grand Rapids Public Schools’ state accountability report. The report described Ottawa Hills leaving the lowest-performing school category while Campus and Alger remained identified. Her team emphasized protecting classroom instruction and student support during budget reductions.

February 23, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

Source: grps.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Lovelady Mitchell jointly presented Grand Rapids Public Schools’ postsecondary outcomes report. It reported roughly 53% immediate college enrollment and degrees for 16.9% of 2021 graduates four years later. The presentation urged additional support for college and career transitions.

January 26, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

Source: grps.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Lovelady Mitchell presented her team’s new districtwide system for tracking learning, equity, and student belonging. She described reviewing data by student group and addressing inconsistent grading across schools.

February 24, 2025Supports Public Education Quality

Source: grps.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Lovelady Mitchell defended live virtual teachers as temporary coverage for Grand Rapids Public Schools’ teaching vacancies. She supported replacing them with eligible in-person certified teachers and examining recruitment barriers.

May 28, 2024Supports Public Education Quality

Source: grps.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Lovelady Mitchell delivered the opening keynote at Grand Valley State University’s Teaching for Equity conference. She challenged future teachers to understand their students’ demographic and economic backgrounds.

October 3, 2022Supports Public Education Quality

Source: gvsu.edu

Lovelady Mitchell published an essay supporting teaching that recognized students’ identities and addressed racism. She promoted Gholdy Muhammad’s approach combining literacy, student knowledge, social analysis, and joy.

January 20, 2021Supports Public Education Quality

Source: kentisdbulletin.org

Lovelady Mitchell turned the Kent Intermediate Superintendents Association’s equity statement into action steps for training existing and newly hired staff. Kent ISD’s superintendent reported her work at the district’s public board meeting.

June 15, 2020Supports Public Education Quality

Source: kentisd.org

Lovelady Mitchell published an essay urging educators to address unequal access to food, housing, healthcare and learning resources during COVID-19 closures. She promoted culturally responsive teaching and greater student independence.

April 24, 2020Supports Public Education Quality

Source: kentisdbulletin.org

Lovelady Mitchell published an essay urging schools to address unfair hiring, resource distribution, policing, enrollment, and discipline. She called for policies that supported students across racial, language, and sexual orientation differences.

December 17, 2019Supports Public Education Quality

Source: kentisdbulletin.org

Lovelady Mitchell published Kent ISD guidance urging educators to build welcoming schools and include marginalized groups in decisions. She supported changing practices that sustained unequal outcomes.

September 19, 2019Supports Public Education Quality

Source: kentisdbulletin.org

Lovelady Mitchell served on the Kent Intermediate Superintendent Association’s committee addressing unequal educational outcomes. She publicly urged schools to confront racial and economic barriers and redesign practices that sustained them.

March 22, 2019Supports Public Education Quality

Source: schoolnewsnetwork.org

Lovelady Mitchell publicly supported project-based learning at Kent Innovation High. She acknowledged average standardized test scores and emphasized students’ teamwork, reasoning, and practical skills.

May 22, 2018Supports Public Education Quality

Source: bridgemi.com

Lovelady Mitchell urged parents to press elected officials to protect public school funding and support arts, physical education, and counseling. She described volunteering with Kids’ Food Basket, Kentwood Community Church, and KConnect. She also supported Grand Rapids school fundraising and youth sports.

June 4, 2015Supports Public Education Quality

Source: rapidgrowthmedia.com

Lovelady Mitchell and Dorothy VanderJagt developed a Kent ISD webinar on high-achieving Black male students. It drew on her doctoral research to help educators examine successful school experiences.

March 23, 2015Supports Public Education Quality

Source: kentisdbulletin.org

Lovelady Mitchell served on the Refugee Education Center’s board of directors. The center listed her among its current board members.

September 30, 2026

Source: refugeeeducationcenter.org

The Progressive Women’s Alliance endorsed Lovelady Mitchell for the Grand Rapids Community College board of trustees in its 2026 general election slate.

September 30, 2026

Source: pwa-westmi.org

Lovelady Mitchell explained her nomination of the Michigan Education Association’s president as a witness for the artificial intelligence inquiry. She cited the association’s civil rights advocacy and knowledge of complaints, benefits, and other effects.

September 29, 2026

Source: usccr.app.box.com

Lovelady Mitchell asked for public artificial intelligence performance data comparing racial, disability, and language groups. She asked about access and community involvement in designing and evaluating these systems. She also questioned government trust and bias spreading across education, healthcare, housing, and policing.

August 14, 2026

Source: usccr.app.box.com

In planning the Michigan Advisory Committee’s artificial intelligence inquiry, Lovelady Mitchell nominated GRCC dean Kristi Haik and Kent ISD technology consultant Keith Tramper as witnesses. She urged the committee to cover sectors beyond education, including healthcare, insurance and policing, and to consider who could explain those uses of artificial intelligence.

June 18, 2026

Source: usccr.app.box.com

Lovelady Mitchell joined the Michigan Advisory Committee’s unanimous vote to invite four experts to its first artificial intelligence briefing. They were Aaron Baughman, Kristi Haik, Ravi Pendse, and Keith Tramper. Matthew Kaplan was Pendse’s alternate.

June 18, 2026

Source: usccr.app.box.com

Lovelady Mitchell voted for a two-year extension of Grand Rapids Community College’s job training agreement with Kent Utilities. She approved student wages of $15 an hour and 4% raises for professional, management, administrative, and executive staff. Each vote passed 6–0.

June 1, 2026

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell joined unanimous Michigan Advisory Committee votes approving an inquiry into artificial intelligence and civil rights. The committee also replaced witness selection through political caucuses with nominations from individual members.

May 14, 2026

Source: usccr.app.box.com

The Grand Rapids Public Schools board rejected a resolution to stop renewing Lovelady Mitchell’s contract. Four members supported non-renewal and five opposed it. The board president stated that her contract was renewed.

April 27, 2026

Source: grps.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Lovelady Mitchell voted to raise GRCC tuition by $3 per contact hour for Michigan students and $9 for out-of-state students. Fees stayed unchanged. The vote passed 6–0.

March 16, 2026

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell seconded Grand Rapids Community College’s construction and completion assurance agreement for its Learning Resource Center. It passed 6–0. She also supported policies defining board duties, presidential duties, and oversight of executive performance. Those votes passed 6–0. She approved a $1,118,098 increase to the Ford Recreation Center canopy contract, bringing it to $12,961,244.

February 16, 2026

Source: grcc.edu

As GRCC board chair, Lovelady Mitchell publicly supported Kathryn Rogalski’s appointment as the college’s twelfth president. She praised Rogalski’s work on student success and workforce education.

December 19, 2025

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell joined the Saint Mary’s Foundation board of trustees. The foundation’s fall 2025 report welcomed her with three other new trustees.

December 18, 2025

Source: trinityhealthmichigan.org

Lovelady Mitchell served as a director of the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation. The foundation’s 2024–25 annual report listed her among its directors.

November 5, 2025

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell received the Jack Chaille Community Philanthropy Award from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. The district recognized her foundation leadership and work serving underserved communities.

October 10, 2025

Source: grps.org

Lovelady Mitchell served on the advisory committee for GR8 Sports, Great Kids, a Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation youth sports program.

July 23, 2025

Source: grsaf.org

As a member of the Michigan Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Lovelady Mitchell voted against postponing discussion of civil rights project topics; the motion passed 6–5. She also participated in unanimous votes to postpone consideration of proposed committee procedures and to appoint Donna Harrison vice chair.

June 9, 2025

Source: usccr.app.box.com

Lovelady Mitchell voted to postpone proposed procedures for Michigan’s federal civil rights advisory committee. The proposal covered witness selection, member participation, report sources, and review periods. The motion passed 8–4.

May 7, 2025

Source: usccr.app.box.com

Lovelady Mitchell voted to ratify Grand Rapids Community College’s Police Officers Labor Council contract. She voted to appoint Steven J. Triezenberg as interim president and approve his contract, effective May 12. Both roll calls recorded all seven trustees voting yes.

May 5, 2025

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell voted to raise GRCC preschool tuition by 3%. She approved a $458,000 increase for West Michigan Works training, bringing that agreement to $808,840. Both votes passed 5–0.

March 17, 2025

Source: grcc.edu

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights appointed Lovelady Mitchell to its Michigan Advisory Committee. She joined the state’s advisory body studying civil rights issues and advising the commission.

February 21, 2025

Source: usccr.gov

Lovelady Mitchell approved a $104,260.04 increase for student and employee bus passes, bringing Grand Rapids Community College’s agreement to $202,260. She approved a $128,000 increase for Urban League workforce services, bringing that agreement to $200,442. The purchasing vote passed 7–0.

February 17, 2025

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell voted to spend $255,270 on automation robots and $126,340.73 on collaborative robots for Grand Rapids Community College. The purchasing vote passed 6–0.

October 21, 2024

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell served on the team that shaped the Housing Security Alliance’s proposed actions to improve housing stability. Its common agenda credited her work with other Kent County community leaders.

July 31, 2024

Source: housingkent.org

Lovelady Mitchell voted for Grand Rapids Community College’s three-year support staff labor agreement. As board chair, she presented a 4% raise for President Charles Lepper, citing his highly effective evaluation. The agreement and raise each passed 7–0.

June 10, 2024

Source: grcc.edu

As a cochair of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Centennial Campaign, Lovelady Mitchell supported investment in underserved communities. The foundation published her explanation that this commitment guided her campaign work.

June 3, 2024

Source: grfoundation.org

Lovelady Mitchell jointly approved Grand Rapids Community College’s five-year, $125,000 partnership with Junior Achievement. The May 20 minutes documented her earlier joint approval with the president.

May 20, 2024

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell contributed professional insights to Whitney White’s guide for workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders. The guide credited her among the experts informing its practical advice.

April 3, 2024

Source: talentfirst.net

Grand Rapids Community College trustees elected Lovelady Mitchell as board chair for February 20, 2024, through December 2025.

February 19, 2024

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell presented results from Grand Rapids Public Schools’ first two districtwide staff meetings. She described staff choices of discussion topics and feedback on leadership, equity, safety, and labor relations.

November 6, 2023

Source: grps.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Lovelady Mitchell presented a framework for repairing trust during Grand Rapids Public Schools’ strategic planning. She described integrating surveys, town halls, staff feedback, and community engagement into decisions.

July 17, 2023

Source: grps.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Lovelady Mitchell approved a $694,909 increase for lactation rooms and restroom improvements at Grand Rapids Community College. The contract reached $1.5 million. The purchasing vote passed 6–0.

May 15, 2023

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell spoke at Grand Rapids Public Schools’ senior summit. She encouraged students to seek guidance from family, school staff, and educators when planning college and other steps after high school.

November 28, 2022

Source: grps.org

Lovelady Mitchell voted to appoint Charles Lepper as Grand Rapids Community College’s president. The appointment passed 7–0.

November 21, 2022

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell reported completed town halls and ongoing student outreach for Grand Rapids Public Schools’ facilities plan. She pressed for more participation from Black and Brown communities.

October 3, 2022

Source: grps.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Lovelady Mitchell discussed her path into public service at the Michigan Women’s Commission’s Vote, Then Run event. The event encouraged women to participate in elections and consider public service.

August 26, 2022

Source: michigan.gov

Lovelady Mitchell voted for Grand Rapids Community College’s three-year faculty labor agreement, with annual raises of 3%, 2.5%, and 2%. She approved a $75 increase in eligible employees’ dental and vision benefits. Both votes passed 6–0.

August 15, 2022

Source: grcc.edu

The Grand Rapids Public Schools board appointed Lovelady Mitchell as deputy superintendent of Pre-K–12 Academies and Leadership. The appointment passed with the consent agenda, 9–0.

August 1, 2022

Source: grps.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Lovelady Mitchell moved to approve Juan Olivarez’s contract as Grand Rapids Community College’s interim president. She seconded the college’s strategic plan, including preparation for jobs paying a living wage. Each vote passed 7–0. She seconded her appointment as alternate to the Michigan Community College Association board.

June 13, 2022

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell approved a $1.25 million increase for Grand Rapids Community College’s Applied Technology Center plaza. The contract reached $6.25 million. The purchasing vote passed 7–0.

May 16, 2022

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell joined a Michigan Women’s Commission panel at Aquinas College. The discussion encouraged women’s participation in elections.

October 14, 2021

Source: michigan.gov

Lovelady Mitchell completed AASA’s Aspiring Superintendents Academy for Female Leaders. The national school administrators’ association named her among the graduates of its second cohort.

September 21, 2021

Source: aasa.org

Lovelady Mitchell voted to appoint Salvador Lopez to a vacant GRCC trustee seat. The appointment passed 6–0.

June 21, 2021

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell approved $1,098,495 for campus air purification and $1,046,627.13 for individual classroom furniture at Grand Rapids Community College. The purchases used federal coronavirus relief funding. The vote passed 6–0.

May 17, 2021

Source: grcc.edu

Lovelady Mitchell voted to keep GRCC tuition unchanged for 2021–2022. She approved $129,800 for preserved human cadavers used in teaching at the Lakeshore campus. Both votes passed 7–0.

March 15, 2021

Source: grcc.edu

As a member of KConnect’s Housing Security Design Team, Lovelady Mitchell urged action on racial disparities in homelessness. She linked housing insecurity to unequal access to education, healthcare, employment and opportunities to build family wealth.

December 6, 2019

Source: schoolnewsnetwork.org

Lovelady Mitchell organized a daylong Kent ISD forum attended by about 110 educators. The forum addressed recruiting, hiring, and retaining teachers of color.

March 19, 2019

Source: schoolnewsnetwork.org

Lovelady Mitchell published an essay calling for inclusive, evidence-based hiring in education. She urged employers to examine bias, broaden recruitment and change workplace policies that excluded underrepresented groups.

January 29, 2019

Source: kentisdbulletin.org

Lovelady Mitchell published guidance on recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. She advocated workplaces that valued each person equally, welcomed employees’ identities and talents, and challenged exclusionary assumptions.

October 30, 2018

Source: kentisdbulletin.org

Lovelady Mitchell became Kent ISD’s first director of diversity, equity, and inclusion after serving as Kent Innovation High principal. The office addressed racial disparities in education and supported training for school staff.

September 11, 2018

Source: schoolnewsnetwork.org