As stated previously, representation matters and America needs to know that Black men are more than athletes, criminals, and entertainers. They are productive members of their communities, successful entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking creators which is why, along with Pitts and Jackson, Brooks’ presence matters. It is the quintessential representation of the possibilities for Black men but in real-time. The oldest of five siblings, he is no stranger to hardship. Having not met his father until college and dealing with racist overtones and microaggressions from peers who questioned his expertise and capabilities, he could have easily gotten discouraged and given up. Despite this, he always knew that he would achieve the life he has today. Imagine jet-setting across the globe, sometimes at a moment’s notice to rub elbows and break bread with the likes of everyone from Lynn Whitfield to the late Nelson Mandela. Brooks has had the opportunity to work with wildly successful people and organizations from North America to South Africa; bringing them together at times, for a common cause. And to think, he has accomplished all of this without becoming an athlete or entertainer, but while working behind the scenes. And, the only thing criminal about anything is how extraordinarily creative he is.
Brooks had already been doing the work of a publicist and finally decided to go formal after leaving BET and reading an article about three white women who called themselves publicists and the paths they took to get there. He quickly revamped and began charging for his services. Leveraging his political, civil rights, and entertainment expertise he started his own firm, Taylor and Brooks LLC. His ability to deliver incredible results coupled with amazing experiences has garnered him an impressive list of clients that will forever sing his praise. He is essentially The Godfather of marketing and communications which makes him the perfect conduit to develop content that reshapes the images of Black men in this country.
What About Me is a must-see for anyone looking for positive content that gives a different perspective of Black men. The vulnerability, raw emotion, and sheer courage of the men in the film are what’s needed to challenge the pervasive negative perceptions. For a group that has been silenced for too long, this documentary provides them with a voice to tell their side of the American experience by sharing what it’s like living while Black. You can stream What About Me on Amazon Prime Video or watch it on your local TV stations. It’s in syndication this month from February 6th through February 28th on your local Fox, NBC, and ABC networks.
Article Written by:
–kymberly akpowowo
