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 Copy "When a neighborhood library or recreation center close, the community loses more than just a building." Notable quote Copy "Investing in our neighborhoods is not a handout. It's a fundamental right."
