February 16, 2021

Stephanie Brooks, PhD, senior associate dean for Health Professions and Faculty Affairs at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, is featured in a chapter in Stephana Colbert’s new book, Ordinary Extraordinary African American Women: As We Mature.

The book features 12 women from across the U.S. and chronicles their life stories. “Believing that the extraordinary is often born out of the ordinary, in sharing the journeys of these twelve women—who represent hundreds of thousands of African American women whose stories go untold—author Stephana Colbert knows that if we do not set pen to paper and create a narrative around their stories, these women and their stories will vanish from our histories,” states the Jewell Jordan Publishing press release.

The second book in a series, author and publisher Colbert is dedicated to making sure that stories of African American women “who have experienced heartache and pain, joy and sorrow” are heard. “They fell and struggled, but were courageous, strong and persevered despite their conditions or predicaments.”

In the chapter featuring her story, Brooks shares that from an early age, she refused to the accept the proposed narrative about Black people. Her community, family and mentors shaped her to be mission driven and to use her platform to advance the careers of others, specifically people of color and women. Always keeping in mind that impact redefines the glass ceiling.

Known as an empathetic leader, Brooks has prioritized the experience of self-care and self-reflection for students who have felt isolated in academic settings. She was recently honored for her role as an executive program consultant in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Minority Fellowship Program. For the last five years, Brooks has been central to the development of the master’s program and the doctoral program, prioritizing a culturally responsive curriculum that extends beyond the classroom to research and practice.

In celebration of Black History Month, Colbert is hosting virtual conversations with the women featured in the book in a free three-part series titled: Ordinary Extraordinary African American Women—Storyteller Discussion. Brooks will speak about “Family, Community and Our Mental Health.”

Stephana Colbert is an author, publisher and owner of Jewell Jordan Publishing.

Stephanie Brooks, PhD, is senior associate dean for Health Professions and Faculty Affairs at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. She is also the interim program director of the Couple and Family Therapy PhD program. Brooks’ clinical and scholarly interests include, supervision and training, cultural diversity, social justice, Person of the Therapist Training, addiction and behavioral health.