I started The Brooks Blackboard in November 2013 because quite simply, I really like to write - particularly about politics and race. I learned early on how both of these issues can impact one's life - the availability of health care, unemployment, quality education, and quality housing. I write because I have something to say. I write to inform the resistance needed to oppose forces against what is right. Someone said to me: "Brooks - you fighting with your writing!" In my "hey day" - I worked for a Wall Street firm as an accountant and wrote very frequently for Black Press Black online media. You will find no stronger advocate for Black Press and Media. Below is a very short bio of me and I invite you to come to The Brooks Blackboard and read through our catalog of posts on various important issues and people. I thank you in advance for your support! If you like what we are doing here at The Brooks Blackboard - tell someone, send someone a link! Thanks again for taking the time!
Between 1996-2003, I was a free-lance journalist and writer. My work has been published in The City Sun, New York Amsterdam News, The Final Call, The African Sun Times, The Black Collegian, The Black Star News, The Source, The Black Issues in Black Review, The Quarterly Black Review as well as online portals, The Black World Today and IMDiversity.com. I will post links to some of these articles and book reviews where could find them on the web. Here is a link to a page I set up with the articles I wrote that are posted on the web.
I received third place honors from the New York Association of Black Journalists for an article written July 2002 on Administration Children Services’ harassment of a family whose son was removed from his home; attended the 2001 World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa on assignment with The Black World Today and The African Sun Times; and contributed to Commentary to Chapter 1, “Origins, Ancestors and Memory.” In Sacred Fire: The QBR 100 Essential Black Books.
Since 2003, I’ve been working as an educator in the state of Maryland. I started as a classroom teacher, went on to serve as a Data Analyst, Coordinator and Director (interim) of Data Reporting and Monitoring in the Office of Special Education for Baltimore City Public Schools. I currently run a special education High School program for students diagnosed with Emotional Disturbance within the Baltimore City Public School System.
I’m a product of New York City public school and university system (CUNY) graduating from Murray Bergtraum HS, Herbert Lehman College (Bachelors – Accounting) and Brooklyn College (Masters – Political Science). I studied special education at Goucher College and remain 15 credits short of a Masters Degree in Special Education.