Jen Brooks

Since graduating from UIS, Jen Brooks has dedicated her career to advancing equity in education and celebrating underrepresented voices through literacy. She has taught in middle school and in higher education, led professional learning focused on equity, and founded The Black Girl Brand and Asè Book Boutique, a virtual bookstore that uplifts diverse authors and stories. She also works with publishers to help authors with marketing and creative campaigns that expand their reach. She has co-curated literary experiences with the Essence Festival, published in several academic journals, and recently launched a podcast and writing collective for women and girls. Her work brings together scholarship, storytelling, and community, all grounded in love and empowerment. Brooks is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Black girl literacies, exploring how homeplace exists within curriculum.