NCID-3239
Byron Brooks
Assistant Director
Yale University
About
Byron D. Brooks has forged a transformative path from homelessness to becoming a leader in higher education and social justice advocacy. Serving at Ferris State University, the University of Michigan, and Yale, Byron has advanced diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) through inclusive programming, mentorship, and strategic initiatives. As Chief Hood Officer of Hood Black & Educated Consulting Group, he advises institutions, nonprofits, and organizations on fostering sustainable equity. His leadership in the National Day of Service for the Biden-Harris Administration earned him the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. Recognizing his profound impact, Ferris State University created a social justice major in his honor. A proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Byron continues to transform institutions and communities, driving systemic change and nurturing future leaders.
Current Work
My work focuses on creating spaces of radical liberation in academia by challenging the idea that our systems are broken. Instead, I recognize that these systems are functioning exactly as designed—upholding power, privilege, and oppression for the benefit of a few. My goal is to dismantle these structures and replace them with ones rooted in equity, love, and justice. Through my scholarship and projects, I aim to reimagine higher education as a space that uplifts all individuals, ensuring that inclusion and liberation are at the heart of its mission.
Research Area Keyword(s)
anti-racism, DEIB, liberation, Social Justice, Sociology