Jamie Byrd-Grant
Senior Police Officer, Houston , Texas Police Department
2023
Senior Police Officer Jamie Byrd-Grant is a 12-year veteran with the Houston, Texas, Police Department (HPD). Throughout her career with the HPD, Officer Byrd-Grant has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community. She is also a former first grade teacher and former Harris County Adult Supervision Officer.
Officer Byrd-Grant started her career patrolling the streets of Northeast Houston, including the Historical Fifth Ward District. During her career, Officer Byrd-Grant’s experiences include working in the Differential Response Team/Community Service Unit and Gang Division/Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Unit. She is currently working in the Office of Community Affairs as the gang prevention officer and the co-chair of the Shepard and Byrd Hate Crimes Project for the HPD.
Over the years, Officer Byrd-Grant has served as an advocate against racial injustice. At the age of 16, she was a driving force in supporting legislation such as lobbying the State of Texas for the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act. She is the director of the James Byrd, Jr. Foundation for K.I.D.S. nonprofit organization and author of Triumph Over Tragedy, a newly published book. She continues her mission of making an impact in the fight against anti-Semitism and hate through partnering with Houston Coalition Against Hate and the Anti-Defamation League.
Officer Byrd-Grant holds a bachelor of science degree in administration of justice from Texas Southern University and a master of science degree in human science from Prairie View A&M University. She holds several citizen and supervisor commendations for her professionalism and commitment to excellence.
Officer Byrd-Grant is a certified mental health officer and peer support liaison. She continues to strive toward making a positive impact within the community.
The catalytic power of this Summit in bringing together those who are devoting their lives to pushing back and working to confront, understand and work towards solutions around hate in our society is a noble and difficult task. The Summit not only energized those who attended but led to connecting the dots in a global network of those doing this work. The stories of the victims of hate were painful to witness but their courage in coming forward was inspirational. Those who attended left energized with the hope that by working together solutions can be forged.
