In a recent ceremony held at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture in Baltimore, School of Public Policy Associate Clinical Professor Brandi Slaughter was presented with the Malcolm Funn Award during the Strong Schools Maryland 2023 Pre-Session Celebration.
The award, honoring the late Malcolm Funn, a State Board of Elections member and dedicated advocate for justice, was given to Slaughter in recognition of her commitment to and support of the Strong Schools Maryland movement.
“Education sets the foundation for a child’s future,” said Slaughter. “Many believe that equity in education is a civil rights issue that can be resolved in this generation. It is overwhelming to receive an award named for Malcolm Funn who was a tremendous civil rights and education policy champion in Maryland. My hope is that I can continue to make an impact that lives up to his legacy.”
Strong Schools Maryland is the largest statewide grassroots education advocacy and implementation body in Maryland. The organization's mission is to “advocate, build power, and share resources with invested Maryland residents to co-create strong public schools that produce graduates equipped to thrive.”
Since its establishment in 2017, Strong Schools Maryland has successfully cultivated a large network of tens of thousands of grassroots supporters, which played a critical role in securing the passage of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future in 2020 and overriding the veto in 2021. This landmark legislation allocates financial resources and implements critical policies aimed at establishing a world-class system of public education in the state of Maryland
