Today we’d like to introduce you to Byron Brooks.
Homelessness in Detroit is a serious issue, especially to one 25-year-old college student. That’s because Byron Brooks was once living on the streets. Now he’s trying to help others who are in the same position he once was in. When Brooks was homeless, he was trying to get an education. Now, this college student is paying it forward with his own nonprofit trying to help those who are experiencing the same thing he did.
“While I was homeless, so many people showed me love and support,” Brooks said. He said he’s blessed but if you heard his life story, you might be surprised that this he is such a positive and giving person.
“Anything that’s worth anything, you got to go through some things,” Brooks said. “You got to go through some pressure, you got to go through some pains in your life.”
Action News met Brooks last year when we did a story about him going from homelessness to being accepted to Harvard. He decided to stay in Michigan and attend Ferris State University. Brooks was raised by his great grandparents, who told him education is the key to success. But he says his mother gave him an ultimatum.
“To either work in a factory and stop going to school or to leave her house,” Brooks said. “So, on that day, I chose education over a home and I feel like I made the right choice.” Brooks is studying to be an audio engineer but he’s also into social justice. Since last year, he started up a nonprofit called “From The Hood for The Hood.” Last winter, he passed out 186 survival kits. Brooks wants to surpass that goal this year, so he is turning to crowdfunding.
“My situation prepared me for what I’m doing right now,” Brooks said. Brooks says he got a lot of support from the community and his church when he was homeless.
“I owe it to them, but I owe it to myself to pay it forward,” he said. His next big goal is opening up a homeless shelter for young people.
“Get them involved with a mentor, get them involved in a trade school,” Brooks said. We asked him if he has any regrets. “If I look back at it, I would make the same decision,” he said.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I believe that no path of walking into one’s purpose is ever smooth. I was born in prison. I’ve been homeless. I’ve had family members and friends turn their backs on me; But God! Every struggle that I went through were all apart of the process of molding me into my purpose as an agent of Change.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the From The Hood For The Hood story. Tell us more about your organization.
My name is MoSoul. I am the founder of From The Hood For The Hood, a Non-Profit Organization dedicated to developing, empowering, and engaging young people and communities that are often overlooked, while also being a training catalyst for Social Justice and fighting against homelessness. As time would tell, I have now picked up the baton and I now stand before you as a leader within the movement #BlackLivesMatter in Big Rapids, MI. Originally a few residents of Big Rapids got together and put together a peaceful protest: Big Rapids Supports The Black Community but, sadly due to negative feedback and even DEATH THREATS, they canceled the protest so I made the decision to pick up the baton and LEAD THE MOVEMENT.
We successfully had a peaceful protest in Big Rapids on June 3rd, and another one led by Jordan Powers on June 6th. We also had the pleasure of supporting the Belle Isle Freedom March on June 5th. This is only the beginning, I am currently organizing a few more protests across the State and potentially across the country to make sure that America knows that; ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. On top of that, we are working to establish community forums and town hall meetings within Big Rapids, MI, and other cities to have those conversations centered around race that makes us feel uneasy because we need those uneasy and uncomfortable conversations to establish change. Our work will also include policy work, movement building, strengthening alliances, community self-care, creative engagement, BAILING OUT individuals who have been arrested due to protesting, Establishing Scholarship funds and fellowships to level the playing fields and bring equity to our black and brown college students; starting with Ferris State University. We need your support for materials and supplies, travel, and facilities costs related to actions, meetings, and our ongoing work. Please give what you can to support this MOVEMENT and encourage others to do the same. #BlackLivesMatter
Here are some links where you can learn more about the movement and myself, the organizer:
https://www.bigrapidsnews.com/local-news/article/Big-Rapids-shouts-enough-it-enough-15315587.php
https://www.bigrapidsnews.com/local-news/article/Part-II-Big-Rapids-shouts-enough-is-enough-15315884.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-AhHjPg2kM
https://www.newsbreak.com/michigan/big-rapids/news/0PEq1eUs/big-rapids-shouts-enough-is-enough
https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/protest-in-big-rapids-brings-leaders-law-enforcement-and-community-members-together
https://www.wxyz.com/news/once-homeless-himself-college-student-creates-from-the-hood-for-the-hood-nonprofit-for-homeless-detroiters
https://www.wxyz.com/news/formerly-homeless-man-gets-accepted-to-harvard-msu-uofm-and-ferris-state
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gofundme.com/f/enough-is-enough-standing-against-racism-blm?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&rcid=77127b9756b04cc2b425118b5128ae76
- Phone: 3135052313
- Email: byron.brooks@mosouldetroit.com
- Instagram: MoSoul313
- Facebook: MoSoul
- Twitter: Mosoul313
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0nM9uxcktSVVTP7b3SUUpQ
Image Credit:
Will Holden Productions
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