In every era, some individuals embody the spirit of servant leadership—using their talents not for personal glory, but to uplift others. Gwendolyn Brooks, the Pulitzer Prize–winning poet and long-time Chicago resident, lived her life in this spirit. Through her writing, teaching, and mentoring, Brooks gave voice to the marginalized and guided generations of readers and students to see beauty, resilience, and truth in everyday lives.
Born in Topeka, Kansas, in 1917, Brooks moved to Chicago as an infant and remained connected to the city throughout her life. From an early age, she began writing poetry that reflected the experiences of her community, particularly those living in Bronzeville.
Her first major collection, A Street in Bronzeville (1945), announced her as a powerful new voice. Just five years later, she became the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for her collection Annie Allen (1950). Brooks went on to publish more than twenty volumes of poetry and prose, including the beloved We Real Cool, a short but unforgettable poem that captured the rhythms and risks of youth.
In 1968, she was named Poet Laureate of Illinois, a position she held for the rest of her life. Throughout her career, she remained rooted in Chicago and committed to her community, ensuring her work always served others.
Brooks’ influence extended far beyond her writing. She was a dedicated teacher and mentor, guiding young poets and helping them find their voices.
From 1965 to 1968, Brooks taught creative writing at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). In 1968, NEIU President Jerome Sachs appointed her Poet in Residence, honoring her impact as both an artist and an educator. Through her classes, lectures, and community workshops, Brooks embodied servant leadership by investing her time and talents in the growth of others.
As she once said: “Poetry is life distilled.” Brooks distilled her life and community into poetry, but more importantly, she distilled her wisdom into her students, ensuring that her legacy of service lived on through them.
Brooks is not the only servant leader connected to Northeastern Illinois University who plays a role in the story of the International Servant Leaders Museum.
Dr. Hamid Akbari, Co-founder of the museum and President of the Dehkhoda Educational Foundation, served at NEIU for 28 years. He began as an Assistant Professor of Management in 1986 and went on to chair the Department of Management & Marketing, lead the University Faculty Senate, and serve as Executive Director of Development and Community Affairs for the College of Business & Management. His leadership has always centered on empowering students and strengthening community connections.
Jennifer Kropke, Creative Director of the Dehkhoda Educational Foundation, also studied at NEIU, focusing on Physical Education, Dance, and Health. She went on to teach dance to all ages while also leading creative projects in design, media, and communications. Today, she channels her creativity into museum design, storytelling, and community outreach, extending the servant leadership tradition she first experienced at NEIU.
Together, Brooks, Akbari, and Kropke represent different eras of NEIU’s history, but all share a commitment to servant leadership.
Gwendolyn Brooks’ life teaches us timeless lessons about servant leadership:
Lead through giving — She gave her voice to those overlooked and helped others find theirs.
Use your craft as service — Her poetry was not just art, but a way of honoring her community.
Remain rooted in community — Though celebrated nationally, she stayed in Chicago, serving those around her.
Lift others as you rise — She mentored countless poets, ensuring the next generation could thrive.
As we honor Gwendolyn Brooks, we are invited to reflect: How can I use my gifts to serve others? How can I lift up voices that might otherwise go unheard?
Through her poetry, teaching, and mentoring, Brooks reminds us that leadership is not measured in titles or accolades, but in the lives we touch. Alongside fellow NEIU servant leaders like Hamid Akbari and Jennifer Kropke, she challenges us to ask—where can we serve today?
