By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal staff writer
Former Akron councilman, University of Akron student leader, mayoral candidate and city of Akron human relations director Reginald “Reggie” K. Brooks died in Tampa on July 3. He was 70. He died of complications from Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare disease of the nervous system.
Known for being outspoken and active in civil rights, Mr. Brooks sported a large afro and heavy beard and had a dominant presence at 6-foot-3. Family and friends said he was an avid reader, was committed to the community and didn’t hesitate to speak his mind.
Mr. Brooks admitted as much in a November 1983 Beacon Journal article. “I’ve never learned how to bite my tongue,” he said. “I like to challenge. I work better under pressure. Routine bores the hell out of me.”
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Aug. 9 at the Rhoden Memorial Funeral Home, 1101 Palmetto Ave.
“He definitely had a transformation, going from a politician to an educator to someone who was enjoying life in his retirement years — woodworking, cherishing his grandkids, and loving the outdoors,” said his son, Reggie Jr. “Dad had started woodworking as a hobby about five years ago, making benches and chairs — and last year soap box derby cars for his grandchildren. He raced in the derby when he was a kid. He was always flying out to see all of his [eight] grandkids.”
Mr. Brooks, an Akron native, was community-oriented and an independent thinker. He got the endorsement of Police Chief Robert Prease to set up a scholarship fund for Akron police officers to take a credit course in human relations, using part of his University of Akron teaching salary. As the city’s human relations director, he was involved with many negotiations squashing racial disturbances. He also was an executive board member of the American Federation of Teachers and union representative for United Rubber Workers Local 2 at Goodyear.
As an activist he headed a voter registration drive in 1974, and in 1969 helped coordinate the Black United Students organization at the University of Akron to take over Buchtel Hall over demands for a black studies program and black culture center.
Mr. Brooks was the first black to run for mayor. He was a Democrat, but ran as an independent. Family members said he received many death threats when he ran, and the FBI suggested he leave town. He refused.
“What people failed to realize is that you can be pro-black without being anti-white — so people had their own concept of Reggie, thinking he must be a dangerous militant because he stood up for what he believed,” said Malik Abdul Zahir, a member of Black United Students with Mr. Brooks in the late 1960s whose mosque provided security for him during his mayoral bid. “I think he paid for that and was ostracized in different ways.”
His best friend, James Mitchell of Copley, said his friend always spoke his mind.
“If he didn’t like something or had an adverse opinion, he didn’t mind giving it,” he said. “But he was a kind person. He had an outgoing personality and would do anything he could for you. He could also tell a good joke. I called him the joke master. He was funny when he needed to be and serious when he should be.”
Mr. Brooks is survived by his wife, Beverly Mitchell Brooks; sons Reggie Jr. of Tampa and Rodney of Chicago; and daughter Kelli Franks of Atlanta.
This article originally published at Ohio.com, please click here to read the full article.
