Brooke Peery

Brooke Peery holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago with a focus on public policy. She earned her BSW from Baylor University. Brooke currently works as a civil rights analyst at the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, an independent and bipartisan agency of the federal government. Her work at the Commission prioritizes assessing the biggest challenges facing vulnerable populations at a systemic level and making recommendations on how current laws and policies can improve to better protect the civil rights of all people.

Brooke conducts policy research and analysis on civil rights issues and examines the impact of government policies and practices on individuals and communities. Her work includes coordinating public briefings, engaging with government officials and community stakeholders, and developing reports and policy recommendations for Congress, federal agencies, and state and local governments. She has been the lead analyst on 12 completed projects, and studied a broad spectrum of civil rights issues, including criminal justice, Native American rights, policing, disability rights, and voting rights.

In addition to her policy work, Brooke has six years of experience as an MSW practicum instructor, supervising graduate social work students and supporting the development of their professional identities and practice skills. Prior to her work at the Commission, she worked as a policy associate at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, a public interest law office in Chicago, IL.