Street Named Alton Brooks Way
By Robin Vinci at September 17, 2023 | 8:00 am | Print
Well known City resident Alton Brooks will now have the distinction of having a street named after him. The new street in Pinnacle Business Park will be named Alton Brooks Way.
“Back in 1960s-70s he did groundbreaking work to empower the community and lift people up economically,” said Mayor Tim O’Brien. “He has been a leader who has been an inspiration for many generations of New Britain residents including me.”
Brooks, 90, was the past Executive Director of the New Britain Human Resources Agency and the City of New Britain Human Rights and Opportunities Department.
Brooks is a longtime active member of the Spottswood AME Zion Church. He has served as Trustee, Pastor’s Steward, Choir member and officer in the Overall Church Convention as Lay Chair. His activities at Spottswood include church sports committee, gospel choir, men’s choir, personnel committee as well as the budget and finance board.
He holds an Associates of Science Degree from Tunxis Community Technical College and is certified in Management Analysis and Review by the United States Civil Service Commission. He has received training at the UConn Institute of Public Service in the field of Manpower Development and Training Techniques. He has Advanced Neighborhood Workers Training by Community Progress, Inc. Training
Institute and has received a Certificate from the University of Connecticut in Social Service Practice.
Brooks’ political and social involvement includes New Britain Branch NAACP Executive Board Member, The Black Democratic Club, Spottswood Political Action Committee, The Pride of CT Lodge of Elks, Mary McCloud Bethune Club, Opportunities Industrialization Center of New Britain, Inc (Founder), Human Resources Agency of New Britain and New Britain Democratic Town Committee. He has also been involved with leadership positions with the New Britain Civil Service Board of Appeal, Family Service Board, Central CT Chapter Red Cross Board, Constructive Workshop Board, New Britain Juvenile Review Board, Frederick Douglas League, Channel 30 Minority Advisory Board, New Britain Area Conference of Churches Board, Hartford District Lay Council and New England Conference Layman Council.
“Today, I still ask him for advice on things we should be doing for the City,” said O’Brien. “I think it is fitting that we honor him with a street alongside a school and new businesses that will create new jobs for New Britain.”
