Juanita O. Brent Biography

Representative Brent is in her fourth term and is honored to represent the new district of House District 18

In the 133rd General Assembly, Representative Brent authored House Bill 285, Establish Driver’s License Reinstatement Fee Debt Reduction Program. This bill became law in 2020, and now helps thousands of Ohioans have a pathway to removing suspended driver’s licenses. 

Currently, she serves as Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee, In addition, she is the former President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, which is the oldest Black Caucus in the nation and one of the founders of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. 

In all these spaces, she works to introduce legislation that prioritizes justice and equity including: the C.R.O.W.N (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and many more. 

Prior to becoming a legislator, Representative Brent sat on the board of trustees for the Harvard Community Services Center and the Lee-Harvard Community Development Corporation. She brings this experience of building and organizing strong communities to her work in Columbus.

In her free time, she enjoys visiting family and taking vacations by herself.