SAGINAW, Mich. — Carolyn Laguerre-Brown believes that understanding policies and laws is essential to understanding how communities are shaped.
As part of Saginaw Valley State University’s Courageous Conversation Series: “Navigating the Changing Legal Landscape: DEI, Free Speech, and Academic Freedom in Higher Education,” Laguerre-Brown joined students, educators and community members for conversations surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion and the evolving legal environment impacting higher education. The event was held July 22, 2026, at Rhea Miller Recital Hall on SVSU’s campus.
Laguerre-Brown, principal and CEO of Designing Equity LLC, shared her expertise and professional experience as a labor and employment attorney, policy strategist and diversity, equity and inclusion consultant. Her work focuses on helping higher education associations and corporate organizations develop meaningful strategies to advance equity and inclusion.
Laguerre-Brown reflected on the experiences that shaped her career and her commitment to helping organizations understand the connection between policies and people’s everyday lives.
Her journey began in law. Laguerre-Brown started her career as a prosecutor in Brooklyn, New York, before transitioning into labor and employment law, where she handled discrimination complaints while working with the New York City Transit Authority.
“That experience really shaped how I viewed this work,” Laguerre-Brown shared. “I was able to see how laws, policies and decisions impact real people.”
Her career later expanded into higher education, where she worked at Johns Hopkins focusing on compliance, training and education related to areas including Title IX, Title VII and diversity initiatives.
“I really moved from being a lawyer to thinking about policy, training and education,” she said. “How do we make sure people understand what the policies are, why they matter and how they impact their lives?”
During the Courageous Conversation Series, Laguerre-Brown discussed the importance of understanding how legal and policy changes influence access to opportunities — particularly within higher education.
She emphasized that higher education continues to be a major pathway for individuals seeking personal and professional growth.
“Higher education is one of the ways that people in this country can change their lives,” Laguerre-Brown said. “When we make it harder for people to access those opportunities, it impacts all of us.”
Laguerre-Brown encourages community members to remain engaged and informed about decisions that affect their families, schools and communities. She noted that meaningful participation begins with having access to clear and understandable information.
“We have to use plain English,” she said. “People need to understand what is happening and what they can do.”
For Laguerre-Brown, communication is a critical part of creating change. She believes communities are stronger when people understand the issues, participate in conversations and take action based on their values.
Her message to the Saginaw community is one of awareness and urgency.
“Stay informed, lead with your values and take action,” Laguerre-Brown said. “The stakes are high, and lives depend on it.”
Through her work with Designing Equity LLC, Laguerre-Brown continues to support organizations in creating equitable practices and building environments where individuals have access to opportunities.
