Allen Brooks Becomes Oldest Graduate From Alabama A&M

March 1, 2025

in Black Media

Reading Time: 4 mins read

Supply: urbazon / Getty

Allen Brooks is a strolling testomony that in the event you consider it, you possibly can obtain it.

The 60-year-old graduated from Alabama A&M College in December 2024, changing into the oldest graduate to obtain a level from the traditionally Black establishment. In response to Good Morning America (GMA), the historical past maker graduated together with his bachelor’s diploma in liberal research with a focus in enterprise administration.

In a TikTok submit shared on Dec.16, 2024, Brooks’ daughter, Brionna Washington, recorded her father, wanting emotional and beaming with pleasure as he accepted his diploma throughout the commencement ceremony. Washington and her “cuz” Leshia Younger broke down in tears watching Brooks have a good time his hard-earned diploma. In response to Brooks’ interview with GMA printed Jan. 28, the 60-year-old returned to highschool in 2020, after he failed to finish his research at Alabama A&M in 1986, a objective he aimed to satisfy in honor of his late mom, Sarah Pearl Brooks.

“My dad did his BIG ONE!!!! 1st Era Grad (of 4 gens),” Washington captioned her viral video which amassed over 11 million likes and 50 million views.

“Though his cause was for his mother (who handed whereas ending his LAST CLASS),” the proud daughter penned. “My Cuz Leshia Younger made these tear dropping indicators to signify her. I imply me and my aunts tore up!!!! I’m so pleased with my daddy!!! He’s the epitome of strolling in YOUR Goal…”

Brooks’ youngest son additionally attends Alabama A&M College and obtained to witness his commencement.

In an interview on The Jennifer Hudson Present Jan. 31, Brooks shared that the ceremony was much more particular as a result of he obtained to expertise it with each his daughter and his youngest son, a freshman at Alabama A&M.

“He performs within the band and I used to be strolling in, he was taking part in ‘Pomp & Circumstance, ’and him and I made eye contact. I couldn’t have deliberate that second. It was wonderful.”

Finding out for difficult exams and finishing homework for his diploma wasn’t all the time simple, however when occasions obtained powerful, Brooks realized to depend on his household’s assist and sought energy from his mom, asking for steerage from above.

“Once I would get to a degree in my examine to the place I might be like, ‘Oh man, I’m getting fogged up finding out for this examination,’ I might flip round and name [my mom],” Brooks informed GMA final month.“I might simply discuss to her, and [when I] get off the telephone, issues would begin clicking,” he added. “I say she was with me each step of the way in which.”