Brittany Packnett Cunningham

Brittany Packnett Cunningham is an American activist, educator, writer, and public official who has worked on civil rights, criminal justice reform, and community organizing. She has held leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, served in municipal and federal advisory capacities, and appeared widely in media, podcasts, and public forums. Her work links grassroots movements, policy initiatives, and national advocacy networks.

Early life and education

Packnett Cunningham was born and raised in St. Louis County, Missouri and graduated from Smithville High School before attending Washington University in St. Louis where she studied political science and became involved with local chapters of NAACP and campus civic groups. She earned a Master of Public Affairs degree from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, connecting with networks linked to the Kellogg School of Management and policy programs affiliated with the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute. During her education she trained with organizations like Teach For America and engaged with leadership initiatives associated with the Aspen Institute and the Ford Foundation.

Activism and advocacy

Her activism began in St. Louis and expanded nationally through involvement with movements connected to the Black Lives Matter network, local chapters of the NAACP, and coalitions that worked alongside groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, Color of Change, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. She emerged as a visible voice after events in Ferguson following the shooting of Michael Brown and aligned with protest organizations that included leaders from Campaign Zero, Hands Up United, and the Dream Defenders. Packnett Cunningham co-founded or partnered with initiatives tied to #BlackLivesMatter organizers, community groups associated with Ella Baker Center, and municipal coalitions working with the Department of Justice during civil rights investigations. Her advocacy connected with policy advocacy groups such as the Sentencing Project, Vera Institute of Justice, and the Center for American Progress, while she engaged in national dialogues alongside figures from ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Amnesty International USA.

Career in public service and government

Packnett Cunningham served in advisory and leadership roles bridging municipal, state, and federal systems, collaborating with officials from the administrations of Barack Obama, members of the United States Congress, and municipal leaders from cities like St. Louis, Chicago, and New York City. She served on the President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS-type forums and participated in advisory capacities similar to panels convened by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education on discipline and equity. Her public service work intersected with policy actors from the Department of Homeland Security, state attorneys general offices, and offices connected to the Civil Rights Division. She worked with philanthropic partners including the Open Society Foundations, MacArthur Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to design programs linking municipal reform efforts to federal funding streams and grantmaking practices.

Media, writing, and public speaking

Packnett Cunningham has appeared on national and international platforms including panels at TED, discussions hosted by The New York Times, interviews on NPR, guest spots on networks such as MSNBC, CNN, and PBS NewsHour, and podcasts produced by outlets like The New Yorker and Slate. She co-hosted and contributed to podcasts and radio segments alongside hosts affiliated with WNYC and BBC Radio, and wrote essays and op-eds published in outlets connected to The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Time, and online platforms allied with Medium. As a public speaker she presented at conferences organized by institutions like Harvard Kennedy School, Columbia University, Yale University, University of Chicago, Georgetown University, and civic forums held by United Nations-affiliated programs and international NGOs. Her commentary often engaged with journalists, academics, and activists from organizations such as ProPublica, BuzzFeed News, Vox, Politico, and The Guardian.

Awards and recognition

Her work has been recognized by awards and honors from civil rights and leadership organizations such as the NAACP, Time recognitions, honors from the White House-linked civic initiatives, and fellowships with institutions like the Echoing Green, Aspen Institute Fellowship, and programs associated with the New America Foundation. She has been listed among emerging leaders identified by publications including Forbes, Essence, Fast Company, and recognized at events hosted by Glamour and BET. Peer organizations such as ACLU, Color of Change, Campaign Zero, and academic centers including the Brennan Center for Justice and the Kellogg Institute have cited her contributions to civic engagement and criminal justice reform.

Category:American civil rights activists Category:People from St. Louis County, Missouri