Our Founder

Dr. Brooks has always been a forerunner in civil rights and policy. She received both graduate degrees on full fellowships. Her doctorate degree is from the University of Pittsburgh from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs with a concentration in Environmental Policy. Her Master’s Degree is from the University of Maryland in Urban Studies in Management. Her undergraduate degree was obtained on a partial scholarship from Clarion University with a B.S. in Secondary Education. As a teenager, while attending Clarion, she filed a grievance against the university and the university was ordered to desegregate. Dr. Brooks is the first African American female to run for Congress in Southwestern, Pennsylvania

Rev. Dr. Brooks is a member of:) the United Nations (NGO) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), The United Nations National Council of Women of the United States, The Tuskegee Airman Board, The African Diaspora, Previously the Sierra Club, the League of Women Voters, New Future Foundation (Harlem), COVID-19 Community Health Deputy for North Versailles, PA. 

Dr. Brooks has proven to be astute in developing policy and interpreting policy. She was the first person to survey individuals registered on the State of Pennsylvania’s Hyper Sensitivity Pesticide Registry and make policy recommendations to the State. She also facilitated the first conference in the State of Pennsylvania at the University of Pittsburgh to “Address the Needs of the Chemically Sensitive Population.” Cofounder of the Black Student Union at Clarion College.  She founded “The Chemical Sensitivity Network” to serve as knowledge broker and to connect others who had the debilitating illness. Dr. Brooks was also responsible for interpreting the Federal Regulations for a large urban county. Departmental heads conferred with her before making policy decisions. She presented a policy paper at a parallel event at the United Nations in New York.

The rights of others have always been a motivating factor. As a child she was active in the youth branch of the NAACP and attended the March on Washington and heard Dr. Martin Luther King deliver his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. The Commanding General for 3rdArmy in Germany attributed her professional contributions to decreasing the highly volatile racial tensions in the military. She was the first Affirmative Action Officer for Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. In 1985 she founded “Concerned Black Parents” an organization that addressed the educational disparities in the East Allegheny School District. She authored a ground breaking Power Point presentation on the Negative Effects of the Use of Militarization Methods by the Police Force. This presentation outlines the potential deadly impact of tear gas and other alleged non-lethal methods used by the police. 

As a visionary, before others were addressing police brutality, Dr. Brooks saw the need to address and prevent the continuing assaults against her family and community members. In 1990 she founded a social justice nonprofit, Citizens to Abolish Domestic Apartheid, Inc. (CADAprograms), now rebranded as Children and Adults Developmental Agency Programs. CADAprograms, her crowning achievement, provides after school programming and summer camp activities to at risk students K-12. Each child is hugged, assisted with homework, provided cultural enrichment activities, served food lovingly prepared onsite, and field trips. She also provides meals to senior citizens.

She also founded and previously pastored the Church of Inclusion International Ministries, and has a multi-state intercessory prayer line.  Through her efforts with community members, she prevented land grabbers from taking historic African American land in Crestas Terrace, PA through “Eminent Domain.” Her nonprofit, CADAprograms earned the right to revitalize the community. Recently c;osed due to Covid pandemic.

Dr. Brooks was recognized as a member of “100 Influential Pennsylvania African American Women” and as a “Black History Maker.” She facilitated and presented a paper at a parallel event at the United Nations: “A Strategic Plan for Gender Equality in Agribusiness in the Nations.” Her paper was presented to the State Department by Chairman Hershel Daniels of the African Diaspora. She has presented conference papers and spoken on radio shows pertaining to issues with Environmental Illness and the harmful impact of chemicals on our health. She is a Community Activist, Advocate, and Civil Rights Leader. 

She has raised two accomplished adult children. Her son has a doctorate degree and is a physicist and an aerospace engineer. Her daughter attended an Ivy League college and has a Master’s degree and is a lead medical researcher for a prominent research company. She is a grandmother of four. She has worked in government, academia, consulting, and the nonprofit sectors, creating change in every area. She was recognized as a “Black History Maker in Pennsylvania.”

But Dr. Brooks’s legacy transcends policy papers and bureaucratic corridors. Her commitment to civil rights began early, as she actively participated in the youth branch of the NAACP and stood witness to Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington and now has a long lasting positive affect on our local communities and school district. Her impact extended far beyond the United States; the Commanding General for 3rd Army in Germany recognized her contributions in mitigating racial tensions within the military.

As the first Affirmative Action Officer at Carnegie Mellon University, Dr. Brooks dismantled barriers and fought for educational equity. In 1985, she founded “Concerned Black Parents,” an organization dedicated to addressing disparities in the East Allegheny School District. Her groundbreaking Power Point presentation on the Negative Effects of Militarization Methods by the Police Force highlighted the potential deadly impact of tear gas and other alleged non-lethal methods. Dr. Brooks’ visionary stance on police brutality predated mainstream awareness, positioning her as a true pioneer in advocating for justice and equality. Her legacy will undoubtedly resonate for generations to come.