The following bio is that of an event speaker or guest author. This person is not directly affiliated with the John Locke Foundation.
Marcus Brandon is the executive director of CarolinaCAN: The North Carolina Campaign for Achievement Now, a statewide movement working to give every North Carolina child access to a great public school. Marcus Brandon is a lifelong resident of Guilford County, North Carolina. While growing up in a family entrenched in the civil rights movement, he learned the value of public service at an early age. Marcus attended both Southern Guilford High School and North Carolina A&T in Greensboro. At these institutions Marcus honed the skills learned as a youngster into the leadership abilities necessary to create positive change for his community.
Marcus demonstrated his long-held passion for service to his community by serving two terms as state representative in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Marcus focused his work on education reform and poverty, which he called “structural issues that impact the community.” Serving as vice chair of the House Education Committee, Marcus was able to pass key pieces of legislation regarding school choice: Tax Credits for Special Needs, Opportunity Scholarships for Low Income Families and the Teacher Paperwork Reduction Act.
Marcus was recognized for his leadership and awarded Legislator of the Year by Parents for Educational Freedom, Black Alliance for Educational Options and Democrats for Education Reform. He was also recognized by Governing magazine in their “Top 12 Legislators to Watch Nationally” list.