Reggie Brooks, a lifelong resident of the City of Akron, attended Akron Public Schools, received a Bachelors Degree in Comprehensive Social Studies and Secondary Education and a Master’s in Urban Studies and Planning from The University of Akron. He did additional studies at Atlanta University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Center.

Reggie was elected Ward 4 Councilman and served from 1975 to1979. His interests at the time were getting more African-Americans on the Akron Police and Fire Departments. He worked with the late Vernon Odom, Urban League Executive, in helping blacks study for the police and fire exams.

He taught on the faculties of The University of Akron and Akron Public Schools before being named Director of the City of Akron’s Human Relations Commission.

In 1984, Mr. Brooks moved to Dallas, Texas where he ran a small consulting firm writing Affirmative Action plans for corporations, government and non-profit social service agencies. He taught at Cedar Valley Community College of Education, also in Dallas and in the Washington D.C. Public Schools and at the University of Pennsylvania-College of Education in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Brooks returned to Akron in 2003 and is now a motivational speaker. He supports the efforts of the United Negro College Fund and is a Life Member of the NAACP and the National Urban League.