Black History: Longstanding Leader In Business, Government Service

DETROIT (WWJ) - William Brooks is now Chairman and CEO of BPI Communications. The retired General Motors executive has been chairman of the Detroti Public Schools board and founding chairman of the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce.

Brooks took on the role of leading scouts when Detroit's first black and longest serving Mayor Coleman Young asked him to take on the position.

"When I first came to this town Coleman Young became mayor and he asked me to look after Boy Scouts in this city and get them ready for the world. People don't realize, Coleman was an Eagle Scout, and he said, 'you can bring them to any building in this city,' and he used to come and talk to these young folks (he didn't want anybody to know it) that was a great experience for me," says Brooks.

Brooks says that he and Coleman Young had a very good relationship. "I did that with him and a couple of other things -- I can't say what he called me one day, but he said, 'Brooks, man I like you a lot for a so-and-so Republican.'"

Brooks served in the Nixon, George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations.

WWJ Newsradio 950 celebrates Black History Month by recognizing our local young African American professionals and their heroes – you can hear these reports throughout the day: 6:20 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 3:40 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.