Memorial update: Noted writer and educator Brook Stephenson dies suddenly

It is with shock that rolling out has to report that one of our very own alums has passed away. Brook Stephenson, a native of Detroit, graduated from Morehouse College and rose from Atlanta journalist to rolling out’s New York City manager when we were still a startup. All who knew Brook knew he was a an all-around great guy, who exuded humility and integrity.

Brook’s most recent career move was director of of Literature and Development at The Clever Agency, “a branding company bent on changing the world for the better one fun project at a time. Home of Clever NYC and The Intercontinentalist.”

Brook writes on his personal website:

“I began people watching at an early age. First my parents showed me who they were, next the extended family, friends and on to my peers. One geographic place, one set of observations. Time to leave the small town/big city. Architecture and design were my interests not necessarily fine art nor creative writing.

Matriculating at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia I made new observations, gained new friends, interacted with more family and discovered as much as I enjoy photography, filmmaking and visual art, writing is where my main focus lies. I found a passion and pursued it mainly through a short fiction column for a weekly paper. Is it coincidence I started writing for the paper six months after I wrote my first piece of prose or that it opened the door to the entertainment industry and the possibilities therein?”

His Facebook timeline was filled with a number of comments:

I am in terrible shock with this news. Brook, you were a loving, large-hearted, enthusiastic, positive force that believed in good and who made good. I feel blessed to have known you, to have shared your dinner table, to have swapped stories and fought together the good fight of life, love, teaching, and literature. You are an extraordinary loss to our Teachers & Writers community. My love and sincere condolences to your family and loved ones and to the huge number of people whose lives you touched and changed. This is a devastating loss for us all.

In completely and utter shock…
Remember meeting at the AUC’s Freshman ‘Operation Olive Branch’ event…bonding because we had the exact same (and rare) first name. Down-to-earth, genuine spirit, globetrotter…creative genius, fun-loving…too much to say. Not enough time. My condolences to your Family. Rest well in Paradise…broaden their thinking (and culinary know-how) as you did ours.

Brook – you kept so many of us fellow educators laughing and in good spirits in the roughest of trenches. Remember this madness? We all laughed through many tears. Now, it’s hard to remember that spirit through many different kinds of tears. Brook, you are a gift. It was blessed to work and laugh and giggle dumb things off with you. Rest in power, dear Brook. xoxo

My heart is truly heavy & life is too short. I will carry all our childhood memories in my heart. Remembering where your creativity 1st began, your contagious laugh and funny jokes, your loving heart and that smile that would shift any environment. You will be missed my friend. Until we meet again..‪#‎Gesu4Life‬

I haven’t been able to keep the tears from pouring down! Im at loss for words! I saw you just a few month ago, and you were, like always, the most amazing of minds to talk to, the humblest of all, that smile and your laugh that was contagious. I will never forget the beautiful spirit you were and i know that spirit was of an angel who got his wings. I know you’re shining up in heaven and i know you’ll always be with us! I will never forget that brother you were, how instantly you became family and how when around there was always love and inspiration.
The last thing you gave me was a book by one of your favourite authors and I promised we’d talk it through! I didn’t get to keep that promise but I will.

Rest well beloved Brook! I will miss you but you’ll always have your mark on my heart!
Love