Jimmy Brooks, Sr.

Jimmy Brooks is a longtime South Phoenix resident. He grew up in the Okemah community on 16th Street and Baseline. His father helped pave Broadway Road.

Jimmy Brooks, Sr. born in Phoenix on November 12, 1943 at the county hospital. When Jimmy was growing up he grew up on 32nd and Broadway, with his family. He had three brothers and one sister, Willie, Leroy, Robbie, and his sister’s name was Joeann. Brooks’ family had an established connection to the area, as his dad worked for the company that paved the road, and his uncle planted cotton along Broadway.

[Insert clip: 2:15, Birth story]
[Insert clip: 4:10, Jim childhood]
[Insert clip: 31:20, Broadway as a kid]

Jimmy’s parents were not from Arizona. They were part of the national Great Migration of African Americans who left the rural South for better work and social opportunities in the American West. His mom was from Texas and his dad was from Oklahoma. Once the two met, fell in love, and established a family, they set roots down in Arizona that continued through Jim’s entire life.

When Jimmy was born, his father worked picking cotton and his mother worked as a caretaker. The Brooks family lived in a small community of African American homesteaders called “Okemah.” Okemah was named for an Oklahoma community by the same name, the namesake of an Oklahoma indigenous man. The Brooks family was ingrained in the local schools, businesses, and culture of South Phoenix before it was called anything but “The County.”

Brooks’ brother Leroy had a difficult time growing up. Their mother, who was a respected pastor with her own radio show, struggled to get Leroy on the straight and narrow path.

Regardless, all Brooks children were family-oriented throughout their lives. Jimmy and his mother were very close. They sang together at home and on the radio. Jimmy’s mother inspired in him a love for fashion that lasted his entire life. The family didn’t have a lot of money, so when his mother brought home clean but out-of-fashion second-hand clothes, Jimmy swore he would curate his own special wardrobe one day.

[Insert clip: 2:40, Jim’s parents]
[Insert clip: 34:00, Broadway as a kid]
[Insert clip: 54:00, Jim siblings today]

Jimmy was married to a woman named Patricia for 35 years, but she sadly passed away due to cancer. They met through his mother’s friend at church, who asked which one of the pastor’s sons had curly hair. That was Jimmy. The first time the two saw each other was at Patricia’s grandmother’s house, and Jimmy remembers that fateful day as one that changed his life forever.

[Insert clip: 10:30, Jim’s wife]
[Insert clip: 54:45, Jim and Patricia]

Over the course of his life, Jimmy worked in the airline industry. And though he was promoted many times, he never left South Phoenix. Even when he was stationed in another state, South Phoenix was always home. Likewise, Jimmy always stayed devoted to the personal style his mother helped him cultivate. He loves to dress up. As an adult, he began collecting special pieces and eventually filled three closets exceptional pieces, including traditional African robes, 1970s wool suit, and truly fantastic hats. His favorite piece is a gold necklace in the shape of a scorpion.

[Insert clip: 34:10, Jim’s fashion]

Having lived in South Phoenix for the better part of eight decades, Jimmy Brooks has seen the community change. He’s noticed it the most in the local education system, which has grown from a couple of little rural, county schools to a massive urban-system that serves thousands of children.

Jimmy Brooks loves South Phoenix. It’s where he grew up and this is his home. Jimmy is proud that many people who live in the area know him, and he knows them. Many people in South Phoenix feel the same about him. His friends inspire him to grow, improve and stay healthy.

Narrator	Jimmy Brooks, Sr.
Birthdate	November 12, 1943
Place of Origin	Phoenix, Arizona
Place of Residence	South Phoenix, AZ
Role	Retired airline professional
Years active in South Phoenix	1943-
Interview Date	October 9, 2023
Location	Home of Jimmy Brooks, Sr.
Duration	1:30:25
Interviewed by	Faculty Researcher: Summer Cherland, PhD
Story Written by	Student Researchers: Mia Franco Faculty Co-Author: Summer Cherland, PhD