WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 5, 2024)– The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) recently honored SRB Communications’ legendary founder, president and CEO, by establishing an award in her name. Street Sense Media received the inaugural Dr. Sheila Brooks Community Impact Award during a recent awards gala at Howard University.

After leaving a job as a television news producer in 1990, Sheila D. Brooks started her own company producing news stories and documentaries. She converted a bedroom into an office at the house where she lived in New Carrollton, drummed up three small contracts, hired an assistant and persuaded a bank to give her a loan.

“I applied to four banks and three turned me down,” Brooks recalled. “The fourth bank wanted me to hand over everything except my firstborn child for collateral.” She agreed to the terms, took the five-year loan, and paid it off in two-and-a-half years.

With statistics revealing that only one in four businesses surpasses 15 years, SRB Communications celebrating 33 years on June 25 is more than an anniversary; it’s a sign of resilience, talent and distinction.

While changing industry trends, a recession, the COVID-19 pandemic and more could have shut the Black-owned, downtown D.C. business down, Dr. Sheila Brooks, the organization’s founder and leader, and the SRB Communications team, have remained true to their commitment to multicultural marketing, diversity, and excellence.

The Capital Region Minority Supplier Diversity Council (CRMSDC) recently inducted Sheila Brooks, founder and owner of D.C.-based SRB Communications, into the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Hall of Fame during the 50th anniversary of its Leaders & Legends Ceremony.  

The organization also awarded Brooks with a lifetime achievement award.

WASHINGTON – Inspiration and idealism joined forces on Wednesday, February 1, when Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA announced the beginning of extensive renovations during a groundbreaking ceremony and “hard hat” tour at its Myrtilla Miner Building, a 109-year-old landmark for Black educators.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, SRB’s March Blog is spotlighting three female journalists whose careers demonstrate personal courage and conviction in the service of equality. 
 
Lucile Bluford (b. 1911-d. 2003)

While he may be best-known for his Madea character, Tyler Perry is much more. He is a producer, filmmaker, playwriter, director, actor and philanthropist. But most of all, Tyler Perry is a master marketer.

Long before he became a household name and billionaire media mogul, he recognized the importance of marketing productions that featured Black actors for Black audiences.  
 
In the documentary “Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story,” released on Prime Video in November, we saw how masterful Perry is. He took such marketing to new levels.