“Whatever gifts you are believed to have, are not yours. They were gifted to you for a finite amount of time, to be passed on and used in service of others.” These words are a daily affirmation for Marcus A. Brooks, and he takes them to heart in his role as Executive Director at the Center for Health Equity.  

In this role, Marcus leads a diverse team of equity advocates who are all deeply invested in St. Petersburg, both personally and professionally. Together, they work to create a space and experience that fosters cross-community collaboration to advance racial equity and improve the overall health of Pinellas County. 

Marcus is a fourth-generation St. Pete resident who split his youth between Clearwater and South St. Petersburg. His upbringing was a contrasting racial experience that ultimately gave him the perspective and insight that shapes who he is today. 

A passionate advocate for this work, Marcus brings over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit world to this position, along with a wide range of experience—from racial equity facilitation and partnership cultivation to fundraising and board development.

Marcus is a graduate of Florida State University and resides in St. Petersburg with his family.