Naomi Brooks Highlighted In Alexandria School Renaming Hearing

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Thursday, Alexandria School Board members heard public testimony in support of Naomi Brooks Elementary School as the new name for Matthew Maury Elementary School.

As Alexandria City Public Schools went through the process of choosing new names for Matthew Maury Elementary and T.C. Williams High School, Naomi Brooks was the top choice in a public survey for the elementary school. Superintendent Gregory Hutchings Jr. recommended Naomi Brooks Elementary School and Alexandria High School to the school board. The final vote will come on April 8.

Brooks has deep roots in Alexandria as part of the Quander and Lewis families. Raised in Alexandria, she attended segregated schools, was a star athlete at Parker-Gray High School and graduated second in her class. She went on to teach at Charles Houston Elementary School and later at Cora Kelly Elementary School. Brooks died in 2020.

Two residents spoke during the public hearing in support of naming a school after Naomi Brooks. One of these was Michele Chapman, who along with other family members, graduated from Alexandria's school system.

"I've had the pleasure of knowing Naomi Brooks for more than 25 years, and this honor is most deserving. It was not easy to go to school or to teach in school in her day, but she handled it with grace and dignity," said Chapman. "I think parents and friends alike will be pleased as the history of the name of the school will be taught and her name will be mentioned."

Howard-John Wesley, pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church, also endorsed the name, saying Brooks was a member of the church and a 30-year choir member. He highlighted Brooks' role in raising three children as her husband Gen. Leo Brooks served two tours in Vietnam. Two of their children became generals in the Army, and one became an attorney. She was also the grandmother of four and great-grandmother of six.

"Outside of Alfred Street, she was so much more," said Wesley. "She modeled a balanced life, as a businesswoman, as a civic and social leader, as a faithful life, and even as an educator all rolled up into one. Her record on education speaks for itself, not only as an educator who served our city, but as a mother who was active and involved, as a student who was raised through the Alexandria public schools system, as an athlete."

Once the school board approves new names for Matthew Maury Elementary and T.C. Williams High School on April 8, the changes will go into effect on July 1.

More information is available at www.acps.k12.va.us/identityproject.