Brenda Stevens receives MLK Award for Education Service

"I am both humbled and grateful to God for giving me parents, and later a spouse, who believed in me when I did not believe in myself," said Stevens. "I want to pass that encouragement forward to students and others who sometimes cannot see their own potential. To God be the glory." 

Stevens has served students at Malone University for 20 years and is a Certified Diversity Executive through the Institute for Diversity and has presented webinars on generational intelligence and religion in the workplace.

Stevens began her career in education at the University of Buffalo in 1990, where she expanded the Buffalo Area Engineering Awareness (BEAM) program throughout the Erie and Niagara counties to include underrepresented and American Indian students. After returning to Stark County, she worked for the Education Enhancement Partnership (TEEP), now known as The Stark Education Partnership. She led a team of teachers and volunteers in implementing programs such as Young Inventors Day, SOARS Camp for girls, and the Science and Math in Motion (SAMM) van; and expanded afterschool programs throughout Stark County to include Massillon and Alliance.

She has volunteered in the Stark County community as a board member for VOICS, JOGS (Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates), Leadership Stark County, The American Heart Association, Pathways Caring for Children, Heritage Christian School’s Board of Education, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Queen’s Pageant (most recently as Chair).

Stevens is a member of Greater Bethel Apostolic Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is married to Leonard D. Stevens, owner of City Flooring & Design Center. They have two adult children, Dale and Ashley, and two granddaughters, Nevaeh and Brooklyn. The Stevens live in Plain Township.