Pastor Corey Brooks shares his journey from a small town in Tennessee to becoming a prominent pastor and community leader in Chicago. He discusses the importance of overcoming a victimhood mentality, the innovative initiatives he has undertaken, including the Walk Across America, and the challenges facing his community. Pastor Brooks emphasizes the need for collaboration across different communities and the importance of advocacy in addressing social issues. He also highlights the significance of education, empowerment, and maintaining strong relationships between diverse groups. Guest Bio Pastor Corey Brooks is a dedicated leader, visionary pastor, and nationally recognized community activist committed to transforming lives and revitalizing underserved communities. As the Senior Pastor of New Beginnings Church of Chicago, located in the heart of the South Side’s Woodlawn neighborhood, Pastor Brooks has spent more than two decades fighting for peace, justice, and economic opportunity for the residents of Chicago’s most vulnerable areas. In 2011, Pastor Brooks gained national attention for his 94-day rooftop vigil, where he camped atop an abandoned motel to raise awareness and funds to demolish the crime-ridden building and replace it with a community center. His efforts led to the founding of Project HOOD (Helping Others Obtain Destiny), a nonprofit organization focused on providing education, job training, violence prevention, and economic development opportunities to at-risk youth and families. Under Pastor Brooks' leadership, Project HOOD has expanded to offer a wide array of services, including mentoring programs, entrepreneurial training, mental health resources, and violence intervention initiatives. The organization is currently constructing the $40 million Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center (LEOC), a state-of-the-art facility that will provide vital resources, including primary care, mental health services, educational support, and small business incubation, to the community. Pastor Brooks’ work has been featured on national media platforms such as FOX News, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and The New York Times, and he is widely regarded as a leading voice in the movement to address the root causes of urban violence and poverty. Most notably, Pastor Brooks gained widespread recognition for his Rooftop Revelations series, in which he spent 343 days living on the roof of a building in Chicago’s South Side to raise awareness and funds for Project HOOD’s Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center. The series, featured on FOX Digital, allowed Pastor Brooks to share daily insights on issues related to poverty, violence, faith, and community development, amplifying his message to a national audience. His commitment to creating lasting change has earned him numerous accolades, and he continues to inspire through his relentless advocacy for economic development and opportunity.
00:00 Introduction and Background of Pastor Corey Brooks
06:17 The Call to Ministry and Personal Journey
12:00 Overcoming Victimhood Mentality
17:25 The Walk Across America Initiative
25:40 Challenges Facing the Community
31:16 Strengthening Community Relationships
41:47 The Importance of Advocacy and Collaboration