Jennifer Adams-Brooks
Housing Commission Executive Vice President
From the San Diego Union-Tribune dies at 63
By Jeremy Ogul 5:39 p.m.April 15, 2013
With a pragmatic blend of business wisdom and human compassion, Jennifer Adams-Brooks earned wide respect as a civic leader in San Diego. The first African-American woman to chair the board of the San Diego Foundation, she devoted her time and talents to cultivating a civil society that was fully equipped to solve community problems.
"She cared deeply about helping underprivileged, underserved communities," said Bob Kelly, the foundation's
president and CEO. "It was part of her DNA."
"She cared deeply about helping underprivileged, underserved communities," said Bob Kelly, the foundation's
president and CEO. "It was part of her DNA."
Ms. Adams-Brooks died of complications from cancer on April 11 at Sharp Memorial Hospital. She was 63.
Born on Dec. 7, 1949, Jennifer Elaine Adams grew up in Chicago's South Side just as the city was beginning to grapple with a legacy of segregation. She was the first African-American senior class president at the mostly white Morgan Park High School, where she graduated in 1967.
After earning a bachelor's degree in communication and urban and rural studies from UC San Diego in 1981, she started her own communications consulting firm in San Diego. She later worked as chief of staff to both former San Diego City Councilmember Wes Pratt and former California
Assembly member Susan Davis.
The "hard-nosed realism" she developed in the private sector contributed to Ms. Adams-Brooks success, said Steven Smith, who served with her on the board of the San Diego Foundation.
"There are a lot of people with business acumen and there are a lot of people with wonderful compassion," Smith said. "It's unusual to find the mix of those that Jennifer had, and that's why she was so effective."
Several colleagues remembered Ms. Adams-Brooks for her collaborative leadership style and her resolve to reach a consensus.
"She was a tremendous listener," said Steven Dinkin, president of the National Conflict Resolution Center, where Ms. Adams-Brooks was a board member. "Because of that, her contributions were thoughtful, and they commanded respect."
In 2000, Ms. Adams-Brooks started Clark Consultants, which started out as an executive coaching firm but expanded to work on land use and housing programs with the cities of Carson and Lynwood.
Ms. Adams-Brooks worked on the San Diego Housing Commission as executive vice president and chief of staff. She was also the former acting executive director of the Southeastern Economic Development Corp.
She served on the boards of several other organizations, including the UC San Diego Chancellors Community Advisory Board; the Regional Water Quality Control Board of San Diego; a transitional housing organization called San Diego Safe Harbor; the Springall Academy, a school in San
Carlos for children with special needs; and the Drs. Charles and Shirley Thomas Memorial Foundation.
Lynn Schenk, who worked at the same time for San Diego City Council member Wes Pratt, described Ms. Adams-Brooks as an energetic pioneer who spoke up on behalf of women, African Americans and others who lacked power in San Diego.
"Her life was dedicated to making sure the path that she traveled would be available to others," Schenk said.
Ms. Adams-Brooks was also involved in the Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church, where she served in a number of leadership roles, including deacon, over the past 30 years.
Ms. Adams-Brooks is survived by her husband of 26 years, Leon D. Brooks Jr. of Linda Vista; her mother, Elizabeth Clarke Adams of Linda Vista; her daughter, Singleton Beato, of New Jersey; and one grandson.
A viewing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Mission Valley.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Jennifer Adams-Brooks Memorial Scholarship via the San Diego Foundation, 2508 Historic Decatur Road, Ste. 200, San Diego, CA, 92106.
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I'm saddened to learn of Jennifer's passing. She was and remains a compassionate and loving spirit.
Susan Engle B
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I just read the post about Jennifer and am so sorry to hear she passed away. God's blessings to her and her family and friends.
Marlene W.
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My sympathy to Jennifer's family. She did many good things to help make this world a better place for everyone. The world will miss her.... her family will miss her more....
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So sorry to hear about Jennifer's passing. My deepest sympathies go out to her family.
Ron McComb Dewey AZ
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Sorry to hear about Jennifer. Our sympathy and prayers for her family.
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