From CCP to City Council: Councilmember Kendra Brooks’ Story

Before Kendra Brooks was Minority Leader of Philadelphia’s City Council, she was a student right here at Community College of Philadelphia. Since becoming a City Councilmember, Brooks has been a champion of reproductive freedom, housing justice and public schools, amongst other similar public service priorities. That is one of the many reasons she has remained connected to CCP and dedicated to supporting students—she remembers what it was like to feel supported by the CCP community when she was a student.

When Brooks first began her journey at CCP, her daughter was young, she was working multiple jobs and juggling several priorities. It was a friend’s mom who initially encouraged her to apply to CCP. “...she called me in, [and] she said, ‘Come here, I need you to fill out this application.’ I'm like, ‘On what?’” Brooks said. “She sat down with me and…filled out the application...Because she said...I deserved to do more than what I was doing.” Brooks is so grateful to her friend’s mom for pushing her to apply. Brooks dedicated the accomplishment of earning her master’s degree to her friend’s mom, who has since passed away.

With the freedom to finish school in her own way and in her own time, Brooks was empowered to make the best of her education at CCP. “I had quality teachers [and] quality counselors,” she said. “They kind of talked me through the entire experience through my seven years at CCP before I transitioned to Temple University.” Brooks is grateful for the personalized encouragement she received from the entire college community. “I am forever indebted to the CCP community and faculty for just being a part of that first chapter of my life while I was figuring it out.”

One of her favorite memories from CCP was the creative way her Biology professor taught. “...the way he taught was all through art and visuals,” she said. “We used colored pencils to do Anatomy and Physiology. And I've never had a professor like that throughout my entire academic experience.” Brooks has carried that unique learning experience with her over the years since graduating.

As for the future of CCP, Brooks hopes that more students can have the opportunity to attend for free and that the alumni network continues to give back to make that possible. As a very proud alum, Brooks would like to see more alumni speaking out about their experience. “I think, as the kids say, people sleep on CCP. And I want more alumni to be proud to say that they went to and graduated from CCP,” she said. “In order for our young people to feel that CCP is a…quality institution, we need to make sure that folks who made it…recognize CCP as part of those steps to get them there.”

The CCP community is proud to call Brooks a valued member of the fold. And for prospective students, Brooks wants them to feel the same empowerment she felt here. “For anyone that's thinking about choosing CCP, it's a great choice. It's a great first choice,” she said. “It's affordable. It's a great place to kind of root your educational experience in faculty and staff that take time with every student.”