Shana Brooks wasn’t prepared for university as a young adult, yet she has always had a passion for education. Thus, as a busy professional with a toddler, Brooks made the challenging choice to enroll in WashU’s School of Continuing & Professional Studies.
“Certainly, I could have commenced my degree at 18 when my only responsibility would have been academics,” stated Brooks, who is set to graduate with a degree in political science. “However, being here now is advantageous. I am aware of my aspirations — to work within movement spaces. Due to my current self and the work I engage in, I can infuse my endeavors with vigor and a profound comprehension of the world.”
Brooks oversees operations for the Missouri Organizing and Voter Engagement Collaborative and has contributed to promoting various progressive policies and candidates in her native Maryland and now in Missouri, where she resides with her spouse and 6-year-old son. Identifying as a self-proclaimed wallflower, Brooks prefers to operate behind the scenes.
“I was always that child who enjoyed maps and calendars,” Brooks shared. “If there was something to arrange, I was the one who stepped up to the task. That was my forte.”
Here, Brooks reveals the inspiration behind her work and her interpretation of leadership.
What prompted you to choose this profession?
For me, it all hinges on the fact that I simply want you to have access to healthcare. My approach to achieving this is by collaborating with organizations striving to foster a more just society, that aspire to assist individuals regardless of their income, ethnicity, gender, or any other factor, because everyone deserves dignity as a human being. We can engage in discussions and diverse perspectives about what that entails, but that foundational value is where I begin.
Why does this work hold significance for you?
Part of it stems from my upbringing. My family emigrated from Jamaica, and both of my parents held various jobs until they secured union roles. My parents embraced the notion of rugged individualism that is pivotal to American culture, yet they also valued community, a vital aspect of Caribbean heritage. This formed my base. As I matured, I grew intrigued by Black American history. I relished learning about Shirley Chisholm, the Civil Rights Movement, and Fannie Lou Hamer.
The more I absorbed, the more I broadened my perspective of what is achievable and how I might contribute. It also heightened my sense of loss for my ancestors. My husband’s family hails from East St. Louis. One day, his grandmother recounted her father’s birth during the East St. Louis race riots of 1917. Her grandparents were en route to the Black hospital when they were confronted by a white mob armed with guns. Only after her grandmother exited the vehicle and demonstrated she was in labor did they allow them to continue. Without that stroke of chance, my husband wouldn’t exist, and neither would my son. Thus, there is a vast, rich history intertwined with these intimate moments that have truly ignited my drive to assist others.
You refer to yourself as a ‘wallflower.’ Can a wallflower embody leadership?
Absolutely. When individuals hear the term ‘leader,’ they often envision public-facing figures — politicians and activists. However, we all can interpret leadership in our unique ways. My influence manifests through organizational leadership, managing logistics to ensure tasks are accomplished. I reflect on the March on Washington. We cherish MLK’s message. But who provided the signs, and who coordinated the logistics to transport thousands to D.C.? Those operating behind the scenes are crucial, and that’s where I see my role. Ultimately, my fundamental belief is that everyone possesses power, every single one of us.
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