Sentinel Staff Report
The Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Brandon I. Brooks as the new assistant managing editor.
This historic mark comes just six months after Brooks was named Co-Managing Editor of the L.A. Watts Times Weekender Newspaper.
“Brandon is the youngest editor to have held these prestigious positions,” shared Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. Executive Editor and Publisher of both the Sentinel and the L.A. Watts Times Weekender.
Bakewell went on to share that “Brandon will not only continue his current duties as editor, but also manage and lead the reconstruction of both the Sentinel and Watts Times websites.”
Bakewell, Sr. serves as chairman of the National Newspapers Publishers Association (NNPA), the Black Press of America, an organization that consists of over 200 Black newspapers nationwide.
“I feel Brandon can keep the Sentinel and the Watts competitive and help bridge the gap between newspapers and the younger generation of readers,” Bakewell shared. We are looking to expand our brand and with the assistance of Brandon we can transition to the new era of web media and social media.”
Brooks first started working with the Sentinel organization as a contributing writer in 2005, when he released a provocative column, “Bump it or Dump it,” which rated rap and R&B music and gave a “street” perspective to music and hip-hop culture.
After graduating from California State University Long Beach in 2005, with a degree in Communication Studies, Brandon continued working with the Sentinel as a contributing writer while simultaneously working at Warner Bros. as a production assistant.
After working at Warner Bros. for a brief period, Brooks reached out to Danny J. Bakewell, Jr., who at the time was serving as executive editor of the Sentinel. Brooks reached out for a permanent position with the Sentinel and first came on board as an entertainment writer. Brooks later served in several departments including accounting and sales. He also worked as assistant entertainment editor, entertainment editor and web manager.
“During his tenure with the Sentinel, Brandon has clearly demonstrated that he can lead the Sentinel and the L.A. Watts Times in the right direction,” said Bakewell, Sr.
Brooks will work closely with Yussuf J. Simmonds, current managing editor of the Sentinel and co-managing editor of the L.A. Watts Times Weekender.
“I look forward to working closely with Brandon in his new role as assistant managing editor,” said Simmonds. “I am proud to call Brandon a friend, but more importantly, as a business partner and fellow editor, he is a tough competitor and a great leader. I know we can continue to grow the Sentinel and the Watts, and make history with one another.”
Brandon I. Brooks is 27 years old and lives in Los Angeles. He is a native of Inglewood, California.
“I am grateful and honored for my promotion but more importantly I am determined to do the work that has to be done,” Brooks shared.
“I am determined to make sure that the L.A Watts Times and the Sentinel live up to our duties: ‘to be the voice of our community, speaking for itself’.”
