During a visit to Dr. Toni King's Black Women and Organizational Leadership class, Brooke Hayes '08 discussed her leadership and the Black feminist and womanist ethic that shape it. Students were enthralled by the stories she told about her leadership at Denison through the present.
From Columbus, Ohio, Brooke graduated from Denison University in 2008 with a Black Studies major and a Dance minor. While a student at Denison, Brooke was awarded several scholarships including the Black Alumni Association Scholarship. She also was recognized with the University's Distinguished Leadership Award. Brooke was active in several organizations such as America Reads and the Black Student Union, chairing its annual performing arts showcase “Black Rhythms” for two years.
Currently, Brooke is a graduate student at the Methodist Theological School of Ohio (MTSO) in Delaware, Ohio, where she is pursuing a Master’s of Counseling Ministries, which will prepare her to be a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She is a two-time recipient of the Methesco Community Award for her leadership within the MTSO community, as well as recipient of the highest scholarship given to a returning adult student. Finally, Brooke was selected to attend the Women's Preaching Academy with MTSO Faculty in June 2016, entitled: “Woman Preach! Inc. Gathering Women, Strengthening Voices, Proclaiming Justice,” held at the renowned Virginia Union University's Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology.
As a counselor, Brooke's mission is to help people “do the work” of becoming their authentic selves in spite of societal dynamics that impede well-being and human possibility. In all contexts, she works to build community, including cross-cultural community that supports individuals, groups, and relationships in discovering healthy ways of relating and working together for wholeness and justice. Brooke is the mother of two children, Lili, 8 and A.J., 3.