Our region’s future is bright thanks to the strong leaders who are navigating change and cultivating successful teams today. These leaders are not only a catalyst for the change that is happening right now, but they are molding and shaping the leaders of future generations. FIRST & 42 is celebrating the region’s stars from the 2020 class of Leadership Kalamazoo with our Leader Spotlight. All eyes will be on the spotlight to learn about these leaders’ “firsts” in life as well as their answers to a few deeper questions about their leadership and vision for our community. Mo Brooks joins us in the spotlight today. Mo is the Director of Youth Ministries at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and also the founder of Mo Brooks Ignites, LLC, which is on a mission to make sure every student is ignited to fulfill their potential and accomplish their wildest dreams.
Mo has many responsibilities at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, including leading a team of 70 volunteers to consistently strategize how to best take care of the needs of families in the congregation. “A huge part of my role is to build relationships with people and youth in schools and other organizations to see where our church can meet a need or fill in a gap,” said Mo. This skill of connecting others and meeting their needs has launched Mo into many endeavors, including writing his own book, “180: How to Turn Your Life Around,” which aims to help people and organizations reach their full potential. Mo’s leadership has blossomed since sixth grade, when Mo first felt like a leader as the captain of his basketball team. “I wasn’t the best player on the team and that made it special,” said Mo. Over the past year, Mo has been heavily focused on learning which has helped him grow tremendously as a leader. “I believe that information changes situations. I am a sponge that is learning from all different types of people,” he said. Take some time and learn more about Mo Brooks below.
First Things First
WHO IS THE FIRST PERSON YOU GO TO WITH GOOD NEWS?
My first go-to person is my wife.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST TIME IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU FELT LIKE A LEADER?
Being captain of the basketball team in sixth grade. I wasn’t the best player on the team and that made it special.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST CONCERT YOU EVER ATTENDED?
I went to see Mike Epps in Grand Rapids. I am not a huge “concert” fan.
The Deep Dive
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR CURRENT POSITION? WHAT ARE YOUR DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES?
I have been in my current position at Mt. Zion for five years this October. My day-to-day is completely different post COVID-19, so I will give you the post-COVID-19 response. I am responsible for leading a team of about 70 volunteers. We meet consistently to strategize how we can serve families in our congregation. I am also creating and editing videos as needed for the church, and I’m responsible to make sure families feel connected and not isolated. I do this through phone calls and virtual meetings. I am also responsible for creating and keeping us abreast on the culture around us, especially as it relates to social media and technology. A huge part of my role is to build relationships with people and youth in schools and other organizations to see where our church can meet a need or fill in a gap.
I officially started my own business, Mo Brooks Ignites, LLC, last spring. I am an author, inspirational speaker, and coach. I just released my latest book, “180: How to Turn Your Life Around.” Business is all about helping people and organizations reach their full potential. Leadership is so important to improving the lives of others. My aim is to “lead others where they would go on their own” (Dr. Addis Moore). I have a special passion for youth and adding value to their lives, especially those who have been impacted by awful traumas. I help people turn their disadvantages into their advantage.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE?
My leadership is organized chaos. I am open to change all the time which can cause chaos at times. I love to have fun and connect with people as well. I believe that everyone has a unique gifting, skill, and experience that can transform any organization when they are given the freedom and responsibility. Honesty is a huge value of mine as well. What helps honesty is upfront expectations. When those expectations are in place then it is hard to go wrong when leading.
WHO HAS SHAPED YOUR LEADERSHIP THE MOST?
First of all, my late grandfather Robert Edwards. The man he transformed into and modeled before me was a leader at its finest. He led his family well and his companies well. He showed me how to lead through action and the importance of having a great moral and social character. Secondly, my pastor and boss Dr. Addis Moore has shaped my leadership like none other. He mentored me and allowed me to see behind the “leadership curtain.” He has invested so much of himself in me. He has empowered me to be a leader in my own right, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to learn from him.
HOW HAS YOUR LEADERSHIP GROWN THE MOST IN THE PAST YEAR?
Over the past year I really focused on exposure as it relates to leadership. I believe that information changes situations. I am a sponge that is learning from all different types of people. This has impacted my growth because usually the answer for your solution will not come from the context of your culture. I am finding so many solutions from learning, reading, and asking questions. This has resulted in the growth of my boldness to speak up against things that hinders production, protecting my mental health, and slowing down, a.k.a. saying “no.”
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
I see our community standing up for those who just can’t stand up for themselves. I see us doing something about the violence that plagues the north and south sides of town. I see black-owned business increase because banks and other organizations will take a chance on good people with good plans. I see the Kalamazoo Promise helping to repair homes so it can be useful to everyone. I see our community coming together as a family to get rid of the foolishness we see. Most people want the same things out of life, and we have enough for everyone to be okay. I want Kalamazoo to be a blessing for everyone who lives here. As we shift into the digital age, how can we thrive as a community and lead others to do the same? I see us answering that question together.
