ABOUT ME

My Educational and Professional Background 

My name is Nicole Brown and I currently serve on Ypsilanti City Council representing Ward 1 and as Mayor Pro Tem. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Communication & Social Work and Master of Social Work from Eastern Michigan University (EMU). My commitment to community advocacy is also evident in my role as a program supervisor at a children’s mental health agency. In addition to guiding my teams, I also support some of the most vulnerable members of our community by helping youth and their families to navigate daily challenges. I have learned through my work that good policy is made in community with other people.  My role within the community mental health system allows me to directly engage with employees, clients, key stakeholders at the state and local levels, and community members. I actively engage in a wide variety of areas, including quality, compliance, employee & program development, and reflective supervision, to ensure that the needs of all are met. Within the agency, I also serve as one of the leaders and facilitators of our agency’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. I wholeheartedly believe that equitable practices are integral to a more cohesive community and brighter future for us all.

My Service 

I have been an active member of the community participating in numerous activities, such as: community and park clean-ups, volunteering at our local community center, serving on the Our House Community Ambassador Committee (CAC), and as a mentor within the organization, You Beautiful Black Woman (YBBW). In 2018, I was honored to receive the Distinguished Young Alumni Award from the EMU Alumni Association. I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc – Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter and have the privilege to mentor and support collegiate members as the graduate advisor to the Delta Beta Chapter at EMU.

The Next Step

It has been an honor serving on the City Council since 2014 and I believe it's time to take the next step. I would like to continue moving the City towards being a more open government, increasing transparency, community engagement, and communication with residents. Mental health and public safety are of the utmost importance. I am energized by the possibilities to further initiatives that support destigmatizing mental health challenges and providing resources to those that need it most. Infrastructure and economic development are also a top priority, and we must make bold and innovative decisions to lead us into a prosperous future.

Positive shifts happen when we actively engage people within the community and get proximate to the experiences of others; my intention is to do just that. With your support, we can create transformational change.

“If you are willing to get closer to people who are suffering, you will find the power to change the world.” – Bryan Stevenson, Equal Justice Initiative

Accomplishments since 2014:

  • Created the Black Lives Matter Task Force

  • Formed the Police Advisory Commission

  • Expanded access to Barrier Busters

  • Formed an expungement partnership with the County Prosecutor

  • Allocated support for youth mini grants

  • Expanded re-entry housing support