Man fulfills late mom's wish and graduates college at 60

Allen Brooks fulfilled a promise to his late mother, Sarah Pearl Brooks, by graduating from Alabama A&M University with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies, focusing on business management, in December 2024. At 60 years old, Brooks faced the challenge of juggling his full-time job and college coursework, but he believed the effort was worthwhile.

Brooks’ daughter, Brionna Washington, captured the emotional moment of his graduation in a TikTok video that went viral, amassing over 50 million views and an outpouring of supportive comments. Many viewers expressed how his journey inspired them to continue pursuing their dreams, especially when feeling discouraged.

Initially enrolled at Alabama A&M in 1982 on a partial band scholarship, Brooks left school in 1986 due to personal challenges and a focus on work. Throughout the years, his mother continued encouraging him to return to school, a sentiment that lingered until he finally told her, "One day, I’m going to do it." In 2020, he took that step and re-enrolled while maintaining his full-time job.

Despite the difficulties, Brooks leaned on the memories and teachings of his mother. Her support was a constant source of motivation for him, especially during tough study sessions. Tragically, he lost his mother last July, just months before his graduation, but he was determined to honor her memory by completing his degree.

Brooks expressed gratitude for reaching this milestone and hopes that his story motivates others to pursue their educational goals. He emphasized the importance of resilience amidst adversity and achieving personal growth, saying, “The key is to never stop — and even if you do stop, you can always pick back up where you left off.”