Brianna Lawrence is a native of Chicago’s South Side. Born and raised between two historically prosperous communities, Brianna knows first-hand what divestment, a lack of education and hope could do to a child and community. These experiences propelled her toward a career in advocacy with a focus on policy change and reinvestment strategies that benefit girls of color. Brianna desires to provide a steady foundation for girls to reach their maximum level of potential. She envisions a future where all girls have the resources necessary to thrive.

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Currently, she is the Executive Director for the Coalition on Urban Girls-Chicago (CUG). After completing her tenure as Secretary for two years, Brianna assumed leadership of CUG in December 2019. She brings over a decade of experience in youth development, advocacy, and community engagement. Brianna also serves as the Manager of Development for Corporate and Individual Giving at OneGoal. Additionally, she is a Research Associate for Beyond Schools Lab with Dr. Eve L. Ewing, author of “Ghost in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago’s South Side”. 

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Brianna obtained a Bachelor's of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also holds a Master of Art degree from the University of Chicago with a focus on adolescent development and community schools.