Civil Rights Leader and Community Organizer Ernest Brook, Sr. Passes Away

NAACP President Harrell Carter says his friend and mentor, local civil rights leader Ernest Brooks Sr. passed away tonight in Grenada, Miss.

According to Carter,who had spoken with Brooks' son the Sr Mr Brooks was found slumped over the wheel of his car at a service station. His son, Ernest Brooks II, is a Jackson city councilman.

Dr Joe Mays, was shocked and saddened by the news which he learned while at a Jackson Madison County School Board work session.  After Dr Mays informed the rest of the board of the news the members observed a moment of silence.

Dr Brooks was a past president of the local chapter of the NAACP. He remained very active after his tenure with that organization and other community groups such as the 100 Black Men of West Tennessee.

Dr Brooks was a graduate of Lane College. Brooks was very active in the 1960's civil rights movement in West Tennessee. That decision, Brooks once told Keith Sherley, news director, caused him to have to leave the area after graduating college because he said he knew he would never find work in Jackson.