Chicago needs to give Pastor Corey Brooks another round of applause. His efforts this year alone have sparked a monumental movement encouraging others to do something totally out of their ordinary to create change and bring further awareness to the unnecessary violence plaguing the streets and claiming the lives of our youth.
The 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards took place on Saturday, August 4, 2012, in Las Vegas. Pastor Corey Brooks “Community Leader of the Year Award” recipient won the keys to the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion, a midsize vehicle that blends style, technology and intelligence, during the awards program. 2012 marked the sixth consecutive year that Ford has been involved in the program as the automotive-exclusive partner of this annual event. Pastor Corey Brooks won the keys to the Ford Fusion because of his principles and attributes to push the community to GO Further.
Even if it wasn’t intended, Pastor Brooks is showing the world what true sacrifice is. First, by standing firm during the winter in Chicago for 94 days and living atop the roof of an old Chicago motel he plans to turn into a community center for children on the south side of Chicago. It was a hard choice for his family but a choice they knew he stood by and needed to do. He sacrificed the warmth of his home with family to stand for the fallen children within the community.
Raising the goal funds for that particular stance after a generous donation from filmmaker Tyler Perry, Brooks came off the roof and planned his next movement – literally walking across America to battle urban violence. On June 5, 2012, with a team of young people, Pastor Brooks led the group from New York to the Staples Center in LA, covering over 3000 miles. There’s no doubt, that he is a man on a mission.
Pastor Brooks is teaching us persistence and determination. He is courageous and deserving of the title “Community Leader of the Year.”
Congratulations Pastor Brooks!
**Ford truly recognizes both businesses and individuals within the community that are playing a critical role in uplifting their individual neighborhoods through not only their economic development but also the social progress of their respective communities.**
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