Seizing Rhythm and RISE: Jennifer Brooks, Student Photographer

Jennifer Brooks is a first-generation student at CCP and will be taking photographs of guests at Rhythm and RISE on June 9. Jennifer has always had an interest in photography and she’s looking forward to putting her skills to work at this 60^th anniversary event.

When Jennifer was first asked to be part of the event, she was immediately excited. “Oh, I was ecstatic,” she said. “I sent it to my kids. I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh, look, it could have been anyone else, and they chose me.’ I appreciate that my professors see a vision in me, and that they support me.” Since Jennifer made the decision to come to CCP, she has felt encouraged and truly seen by the entire community. “Everyone that I encountered here just made me feel comfortable,” she said about her initial campus visit.

Jennifer has enjoyed her time at CCP so much that she is reluctant to leave. “I'm going to get my certificate in [Digital Video Production], 'cause that will give me an excuse and an opportunity to stay at CCP.” She currently works in real estate, and a degree in Photography and her certificate will be useful in her career. But, she also has a strong passion for photography, too. “My interest in photography has been since I was a child,” she shared. “I found beauty in everything. And sometimes I didn't know how to explain that to people.”

Jennifer was born and raised in Philadelphia and originally didn’t think college was the place for her. “I did come from a very difficult and hard background where a lot of abuse, drugs and things, took place,” she said. “And so I never really saw a way outside of that.” During a phase of healing and redirecting in her life, Jennifer was speaking to a friend who encouraged her to enroll in college courses. “She herself was going to be signing up for some classes and during a conversation, she was like, ‘Jen, why don't you go to school?’” At first Jennifer was skeptical, but her friend drove all the way from North Carolina to help her enroll and get set up at CCP.

Now, Jennifer is so grateful to her friend for giving her that push and so proud of herself for doing something that will so positively impact her life. “I could say I'm proud of myself because it took a lot to get here,” she said. “It took a lot to wake up. It took a lot to...stay up late to do work and assignments and all. But I did it, and I'm happy and I'm thankful for everyone along the way on my path that helped me to get there.”

Jennifer is excited to participate in Rhythm and RISE to see and experience the event and build her portfolio. “Overall [the] experience, I feel like that's what I'm looking forward to,” she said. “The energy, the people, the music, Patti LaBelle herself and just even the other students that I get to interact with and share that whole moment.”

CCP is proud to be able to highlight students and their hard work during this monumental event. If you are interested in attending, you can learn more about it and purchase a ticket here. The event supports students through the Dr. Alycia Marshall Seventh President’s Fund.