Say It Loud, You're Making Us Proud: Councilmember Kendra Brooks

This episode spotlights Councilmember Kendra Brooks and why her work matters for everyday families in Philadelphia. Ms. V frames the conversation around public service, neighborhood access, and what it looks like when elected officials deliver concrete results for children, families, and communities.The focus is on two major issues: library access and public space investment. Ms. V explains how Brooks’ lived experience shaped her advocacy, then walks through the funding wins and community benefits that followed.

Key topics

• Ms. V introduces the special series "Say It Loud, You're Making Us Proud" and its purpose: recognizing elected officials whose work strengthens Black communities.
• The episode centers on Councilmember Kendra Brooks, a mother from Nicetown who entered City Council after challenging Philadelphia’s long-standing two-party political structure.
• Ms. V uses the example of a mother walking her children to a closed library branch to show how staff shortages and underfunding limit access for working-class families.
• Brooks’ early activism is tied to that lived reality, especially the need for reliable neighborhood libraries as safe spaces, cooling centers, and places for homework and community support.
• Ms. V highlights Brooks organizing with library advocates, workers, and fellow council members to demand more staffing and funding.
• The episode notes that the city directed tens of millions of dollars toward the free library system, expanding six-day-a-week service across all 55 branches.
• Brooks also pushed beyond libraries, advocating for parks and recreation funding to return to pre-pandemic levels.
• Ms. V emphasizes that parks, recreation centers, and playing fields support trauma counseling, after-school sports, summer programming, and youth jobs.
• Brooks’ co-sponsorship of the city’s youth-powered anti-violence agenda is presented as part of a broader strategy to treat public space as essential community infrastructure.
• The episode closes by framing neighborhood investment as a right, not a handout, and thanking Brooks for her service.

Timestamps

00:00 - Welcome to Let Us Not Forget and the mission behind the show
00:31 - Why this series honors elected officials doing real community work
00:59 - Not a campaign ad - a look at public service and results
01:28 - The real cost of a closed neighborhood library for working families
01:58 - Philadelphia’s library underfunding and limited branch hours
02:27 - How one mother became a grassroots activist
02:56 - Kendra Brooks breaks Philadelphia’s two-party political pattern
03:25 - From a mile-and-a-half library walk to the City Council floor
03:54 - Why libraries matter as safe havens and community anchors
04:23 - Demanding more funding for staff and system-wide access
04:52 - Tens of millions added and six-day service restored citywide
05:21 - Expanding the focus to parks, recreation centers, and playing fields
05:48 - Youth programming, counseling, and jobs as public safety tools
06:16 - Public investment as a basic right, not a luxury
06:45 - Closing praise for Councilmember Kendra Brooks and the episode sign-off

Notable quote

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"When a neighborhood library or recreation center close, the community loses more than just a building."

Notable quote

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"Investing in our neighborhoods is not a handout. It's a fundamental right."

The podcast episode discusses the importance of after-school programs and the role of elected officials in building strong, safe, and vibrant black communities. It highlights the work of Philadelphia City Council member, Dr. Anthony Phillips, in connecting young people with positive opportunities and strengthening safety around schools.

Takeaways

• After-school programs play a crucial role in providing positive opportunities for children and connecting them with mentors and resources.
• Elected officials have a responsibility to support and invest in after-school programs and community organizations that contribute to the development and safety of children.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Importance of After-School Programs
• 03:17 The Role of Elected Officials in Community Development
• 08:27 Recognizing the Work of Council Member Dr. Anthony Phillips

The Let Us Not Forget Podcast, hosted by Miss V, the Voice of Reason, focuses on building strong, safe, and vibrant Black communities through responsible leadership and accountability. The podcast highlights the work of elected officials in serving the community and bringing resources home. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and acknowledging meaningful work while continuing to ask important questions.

Takeaways

• Responsible leadership and accountability are essential for building strong, safe, and vibrant Black communities.
• Recognizing and acknowledging meaningful work while continuing to ask important questions is crucial for community development.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction: Building Strong, Safe, and Vibrant Black Communities
• 02:12 Say It Loud, You're Making Us Proud: Recognizing Elected Officials' Work
• 03:10 City Hall to the Block: Local Impact of Elected Officials' Work
• 05:27 Bringing Washington's Resources Home: Federal Investment and Impact
• 05:57 Creating Safe Spaces for Children After School
• 07:25 Local Impact of Elected Officials' Work: Council Member Catherine Gilmore Richardson
• 10:13 Federal Investment in Philadelphia: Congressman Dwight Evans' Work
• 11:42 Accountability and Recognition: Balancing Acknowledgment and Questions
• 14:09 Conclusion: The Collective Effort in Building Strong Communities