Brittane’ Grant Earns Economic Development Certification, Named President of East End Historic District

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City economic development advocate Brittane’ Grant last month became the first African American woman in Oklahoma to earn the prestigious Master Economic Development Practitioner (MEDP) designation, a nationally respected credential certification to leaders who demonstrate mastery in economic development strategy, community revitalization, and sustainable growth.
Grant was also recently appointed as President of Oklahoma City’s East End Historic District, one of the city’s most culturally significant corridors.
“This moment is bigger than me,” Grant said. “Becoming the first African American woman in Oklahoma to earn the Master Economic Developer Practitioner designation is an honor, but it’s also a responsibility. The East End has a powerful story, and I’m committed to making sure our economic development reflects the pride, culture, and brilliance of the people who call it home.”
The Advanced Economic Development Leadership (AEDL) program launched this year, and is only offered by four leading universities nationwide: the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of New Mexico, Valdosta State University (in Georgia) and Texas Christian University.
The program seeks to help economic developers reimagine their role while providing leading-edge ways to think about and address challenges and create connections and a network. AEDL relies on experienced faculty, industry practitioners, business leaders, and the country’s foremost site consultants to present leading-edge strategies and techniques necessary to succeed in the evolving world of quality job creation.
Graduates of the first cohort were awarded an Economic Development Master Practitioner certificate at a ceremony held Nov. 3-6 at the Kauffman Conference Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Grant said she plans to apply her experience and training in economic development in her new role as President of Oklahoma City’s East End Historic District. Grant plans to usher in a new era of economic vibrancy, placemaking, and community-centered investment along the Northeast 23rd Street corridor and throughout this area within Oklahoma City.
Grant’s AEDL certification further advances her expertise in economic development. Through her work with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s economic development team, she helped enhance regional competitiveness through business recruitment, retention and expansion, talent strategies, and business support. Her work helped strengthen the pipeline of employers and innovators choosing to grow in Oklahoma City.
During her tenure at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Grant spearheaded Workforce & Economic Development initiatives, partnered with communities statewide to improve economic mobility, built industry partnerships, and developed data-driven strategies to connect residents with high-quality jobs.
In July of this year, Grant was appointed to serve as Oklahoma County’s Economic & Community Development Representative. In this position, she utilizes her expertise to lead initiatives focused on equitable development for District 1, under County Commissioner Jason Lowe.
Grant shared her objectives for the East End she intends to achieve as president:
Revitalize local businesses and attract new investments
Promote the district’s rich Black history and cultural assets
Help small-business accelerator programs and technical assistance pipelines
Enhance walkability, safety, and beautification projects
Cultivate partnerships with anchor institutions, schools, and community organizations
Create a cohesive brand identity that reflects the heritage and future of NEOKC
“The East End will be developed with its community, not around it,” Grant said, noting her belief that economic development is most powerful when it is people-centered.