Local African-American trailblazer collaborating & educating through art

Telling stories, educating and collaborating through art.  It's not just Shawana Brooks' passion, it's her job.

She is the first to do it in a special role at the Jacksonville Public Library.

Brooks is blazing a trail in a bold and creative way, in hopes that others will carry the torch and keep the visual conversation going into the future.

Action News Jax anchor Tenikka Hughes caught up with Brooks in her element, the Jax Makerspace Gallery at the main library in downtown Jacksonville.

Brooks is the first Arts & Culture Developer for the Jacksonville Public Library.

Brooks said, Being that we're really here to me the focus is visual literacy. We want to make sure we're educating and providing space for people to come in and be creative on all kinds of terms."

She hopes to prompt meaningful conversations in the community in the process.

Last year, Brooks curated a powerful and moving exhibit called "Survive to Thrive: Life Beyond Sexual Violence," which focused on the healing and hope of survivors of rape, sexual abuse, and human trafficking.

Her first exhibition called 'Kesha,' examined the black female experience of identity and race and featured a variety of art forms, all created by black women.

Brooks said, "I feel like I curate with the desire and intention to reflect representative voices from all over."

It's a responsibility Brooks says is constantly reaffirmed by her experience as a black woman.

"Knowing how it feels not to be invisible, but to just not be seen.  Sometimes we're on the edges of what is the default," Brooks said.

"I feel privileged to create something where I'm thinking of other people in mind and that's OK because it comes from my perspective."

A perspective she hopes will be a conduit for inclusion and progress.

Brooks said, "I know that I was here for a passion and purpose - and that purpose is to be present, to be real and to claim creative spaces for myself and others."

Brooks just launched a new exhibition, "Writing on the Walls: Visual Literacy Through Street Art Culture." It runs through April 14 at the Jax Makerspace Gallery at the main library.

You can learn more about the Jax Makerspace here.

Cox Media Group