Source: Kevin Reeves, Founder, originally published in The Voice, Q4 2019.
RISE was formed with the desire to provided educational support for our youth. The initial target was the youth assigned to Department of Juvenile Justice, but early on the process it was determined that the need was much greater. Looking for support, two local nonprofits came forward Kemp Development Center and The McGriff Community Development and Services Corporation. We then reached out to Okaloosa Technical College, as an existing educational institution, to provide supporting curriculum. We would later find that The McGriff Community Development and Services Corporation along with Beulah First Baptist Church had acquired The Brooks Elementary School. Further research would reveal that the Brooks Elementary School could serve as an excellent venue to teach youth construction trades.
The leadership team would then start to look at the feasibility of remodeling the Brooks Elementary School as a historical landmark. The school has a rich history that began when Fort Walton Beach was known as Camp Walton with two thriving industries, a saw mill and a terpene plant. The excitement has grown as the added help of community builders, Future Builders of America FBA, education community, and the Department of Juvenile Justice
The History of Brooks School
It is impossible to write the history of Brooks School without recognizing, The Colored Community Church. It was the church that took on the duty of starting the education of its children. The existence of Brooks School and that of the church is forever entwined. The school would not exist had it not been for the actions of the church. The parents of the ever-increasing number of school age children, some of whom could not read or write themselves, wanted better for their children. These mothers and fathers were good, common, hardworking people. They lived in an area located in the center of Camp Walton, in a place called the quarters. It spanned a distance of about two miles in any direction. In a time of segregation and Jim Crow, they lived a separate and unequal life. There was no school for the colored children of Camp Walton, but there were some trained teachers who began classes in their homes. There was also no place of worship and no time except after work at night, so they began bible study and Sunday worship services in their home.
From these two needs; a school for the children, and a place to worship, came the Colored Community Church. The school and church became the core of the community’s Spiritual, Educational, and Social life. It was the church and the school that served as shelter in the time of floods and hurricanes. The two buildings were the only place where the colored community could safely gather in large numbers. This gave a sense of freedom and normalcy to the residents of the quarters.
In spite of or maybe because of segregation, separatism, and Jim Crow, many of the students of Brooks Elementary School, have gone on to do great things. They persevered and have come out triumphantly, as the world watched their careers play out on the national stage. Most notably among them are:
- Al (Alexander) Green, representative for the 9th district of Houston Texas. Congressman Green attended Florida A&M University and Tuskegee University. He received a law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.
- Dr. Oscar L (Pewee) Montgomery, pastor of Union Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Huntsville Alabama. Dr. Montgomery has a PhD in theology and also earned a Doctorate in Agronomy from Purdue University. He is a retired professor at Alabama A&M University.
There are many more students who have achieved greatness in the face of adversity. Most have gone on to earn degrees and advanced degrees or training in fields that sustain themselves and their families. In the face of racism and mistreatment by the school board we have stepped over all the blocks that were put in our path. No weapon formed against thee shall prosper. Isaiah 54:17
For additional information and to donate to this cause go to www.riseth.org hor contact Rev. Willie Farrow 850-865-6029 or Kevin Reeves 850-830-9500.
