Elected to the Shelby County Board of Commissioners on August 4, 2022, Commissioner Henri E. Brooks represents District 7. She previously served on the Board from August 2006 for two terms. With a career dedicated to advocating for accountability in the systems affecting our children, she began as a public school teacher and has tirelessly worked to uphold the rights of African-American youth.

Commissioner Brooks took a courageous stand against the long-standing violations of due process rights for African-American children. She initiated a complaint with the Department of Justice, leading to an investigation into the Memphis and Shelby County Juvenile Court, which was found to be in substantial violation of the constitutional rights of youth based solely on their race. This resulted in a rigorous Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) aimed at ensuring due process, equal protection, and the elimination of disproportionate minority contact (DMC) within the Court. To monitor these reforms, she established the Juvenile Court Monitors Program.

She has been a champion for community engagement, hosting participatory town hall meetings to discuss the investigation and MOA reforms, allowing citizens to voice their concerns. She also created the Community Monitors Program to ensure the effective implementation of mandated reforms and established the Juvenile Court Oversight Ad Hoc Committee to enhance accountability, transparency, and public awareness throughout the reform process.

Previously, Commissioner Brooks served as Chairperson of the Core City, Neighborhoods & Housing Committee, the Community Services Committee, and the Brownfield Advisory Committee. Her leadership demonstrated her commitment to enhancing the greater Shelby County area.

In addition to her work on the Commission, Commissioner Brooks served as State Representative for the 92nd District for 14 years, where she led the House Judiciary’s Constitutional Protections and Criminal Practices & Procedures subcommittees. She chaired the Tennessee Black Caucus and its Title VI Committee, as well as the Children and Gun Safety Study Committee. Notably, she sponsored and passed the nation’s first state-level legislation enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 across all federally funded entities (Public Chapter 502).

A proud graduate of Memphis public schools, Commissioner Brooks earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Memphis. She also attended the Nashville School of Law and is a 2012 graduate of Leadership Memphis.