Brenda Mitchell

Advocate Against Gun Violence

Brenda's son Kenneth was murdered one week after his brother Kevin left to serve in his third tour of duty in Iraq, Kuwait and lastly, Afghanistan. A single parent, Kenneth left behind 3 sons one who never got to meet his father. Brenda is a Senior Fellow with Everytown Survivor Network, Survivor Membership Lead, Inter Faith Outreach Leader for Moms Demand Action in South Suburban Chicago and a member of the advocacy organization Purpose Over Pain.   Most recently becoming involved with Covid-19 Survivors for Change, facilitating groups to navigate through trauma and the devastation of their grief process. She is also an Ordained Minister and uses those tools to help herself and others achieve wellness. She has become strong advocate for PTSD, Trauma Informed Care and resources. Identifying that the root cause analysis in Survivors of Gun Violence, and our Survivor Communities deals directly and indirectly from long term exposure to poverty, lack of economic development and systemic institutionalized trauma.  The principles of Mindfulness and Meditation support the healing process. Allowing for the ability to Pause.

In addition to her advocacy work she possesses more than 25 years of proven progressive experience in the area of Human Resources Management.  Her experience is diverse in the areas of Human Resources Operations, recruitment, labor relations, compensation/benefits and training with a concentration in employee relations.  Her passion is in the area of employee relations and enhancing the values, skills of employer/employee relationships when they are in conflict. Her passion is in interpersonal communications and conflict resolution.  She also has been a seasoned politician serving a ten-year term as a Trustee in the Village of University Park.

She has received an MBA from Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL, and Bachelor from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL.