John Brooks Jr. Acts, Leads Campus Tours and Has Options

JOHN BROOKS JR.

Business administration major, Theatre minor | Henry W. Bloch School of Management | 2016

At UMKC, the students are our story. Introducing a new digital storytelling project. Look, listen and learn about us through interviews, photographs and videos of our students. Read the other student stories and go to umkcgoingplaces.tumblr.com and follow.

Where is UMKC taking you?

UMKC is taking me to new beginnings. Everything I wanted to do in college, I did in the first semester at UMKC (after transferring from MU-Columbia): acting, campus ambassador tours, leadership positions. At MU, that didn’t happen. I love giving tours, the best part is seeing younger kids smile. They also have the best questions. I used to work with a children’s photography company.

How has college inspired you?

It’s inspired me to be the best person that I can be. It’s challenged me to my wit’s end to prepare me for the real world.

Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?

I’ve learned I have to make tough decisions. Everything I want I have to sacrifice for.

What do you admire most at UMKC?

I love the opportunity the Theatre Department offers. It allows for a lot of growth.

Are you a first-generation college student?

Yes, and it means that my brothers and I will be the first to break our family out of the system of oppression and become successful black men.

What’s your greatest fear?

Failing. It hovers there over me because I know all the work my parents put in to get me to where I am. I don’t want to fail them.

What are your lifelong goals?

I have options. I think I’d like to own my own production company. My friends are filmmakers. I could use my business and acting skills in a production company. It would be cool to get my MFA on the West Coast, but I’d want to do it smart, not just go out to L.A. on a trip and stay.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully making a breakthrough in my acting career.

What motto do you live by?

Be happy. Don’t care what other people think. If you care too much, you’ll be sad and depressed. I demand happiness from myself. With all the bad things going on in the news, you need some happiness.

What excites you?

People excite me. I like to meet people. Everyone’s different. We all have different lives and I like to meet others and learn as much as possible about them.