The Harrisburg community is mourning the loss of Brandon Flood, former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, who died at 43. The organization Bro2Go announced his death on Sunday (August 24), calling him "a true giant" in the community. Flood's life was marked by his dedication to criminal justice reform and community empowerment.
Flood, born on July 22, 1982, in Steelton, Pennsylvania, turned his life around after serving five years in prison. After his release, Flood vowed to never return to prison and dedicated himself to advocating for justice and reentry programs.
In 2019, then-Governor Tom Wolf appointed him as the Secretary of the Board of Pardons, a position he held until 2021. During his tenure, he worked to advance firearm policy reforms and support formerly incarcerated individuals. Flood also held roles at CeaseFirePA, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site.
Flood's advocacy extended to gun violence prevention and employment reforms. He played a key role in advancing universal background checks and "ban the box" policies, which help individuals with criminal histories find employment. His work with the NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference empowered people of color through voter registration and education.
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis praised Flood as "a champion for justice," and Pennsylvania Commonwealth Chief Diversity Officer Norman Bristol remembered him as a cherished friend whose story of redemption touched many. No services have been announced yet.