Running for office in Brighton was nowhere in sight on Brandon’s list of goals. Graduating from Howard University with a degree in Political Science, his plan was to become a political finance director. “I wanted to work on national campaigns helping candidates raise money.” After graduation, a series of events led him home and Brandon found himself trying to figure out what would be best for him. Trying to gauge the problems and interests of Brighton’s 3,000 resident strong community, he realized that he could use his talents bring change to his hometown. Brandon told himself that if he found that the residents were serious about wanting transformation in Brighton, that he would put his best foot forward.
“Though I was born here, there were so many things that I did not appreciate, that I didn’t understand fully about the people and the circumstances under which they were living.”
Dean says that during his time at HU he served as an ally to leadership and administration, as well as an adversary in challenging them to bring change. “It was representative of my entire career at Howard University, there were many challenges, and there were many places where we disagreed, but ultimately coming out, the appreciation for what Howard University is, is undying…what I bring back to Brighton, so much of it I learned and developed from Howard University.”
Brandon says that if elected into office one of the problems he hopes to address initially will be the murder rates within Brighton city. With over 23 murders in the past 2 years in the close knit town, Brandon sees it as an issue that needs to be addressed. He also notes that substance distribution and substance abuse are major problems too. Noting that he knows a lot of the drug dealers are not in the business of intentionally tearing down their hometown, Brandon want’s to show them that there are other ways to become financially stable. “I’ve never met one who believes that they sell drugs so that they can destroy the fabric of the community that they grew up in, or to say that “I sell drugs because I want to hurt people or ruin lives,” unfortunately many of them see this as the only option for them to have economic security, and so It’s the job of a leader like me to change those conditions, so that people see other opportunities, so that people have realistic options for providing for their families.”
If elected, Dean will make history as becoming the youngest mayor the city has ever seen. The 24-year-old Howard alum, hopes he can bring change to the community and become a pillar for the community’s residents.
Elections take place August 23rd, and Brandon Dean hopes to bring his Howard education, and his political savvy to Brighton Alabama, a place very near to his heart.
