The Chicago faith leader ended his months-long rooftop campaign. He started camping out on a makeshift roof in November of last year to raise money to replace an old motel that once occupied a lot across the street from his New Beginnings Church with a community center.
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So far, Brooks has raised around $20 million, enough to start construction.
"We just decided it's a good time, that the city needs some hope, that it needs some inspiration," Brooks said.
Saturday's ceremonial groundbreaking came as at least 29 children and teens in the city have been shooting victims, and seven of them killed, just this month. Married and a father of an 11-year-old son, South Side native Michael Holmes hopes the center will make a difference.
"It's going to put a lot of positivity and a lot of positive situations to use," he said.
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The effort to build the leadership and economic opportunity center at 66th Street and King Drive is 10 years in the making for Brooks' Project HOOD, which stands for "helping others obtain destiny."
"As it gets built, the years after that, we're going to see it and its going to benefit us and help us," said Jahlil Porter with Project HOOD.
Organizers said the 85,000 square-foot facility will take at least 18 months to build and will not only revitalize the neighborhood, but provide support services and resources to the community.
"I'm very hopeful and I'm looking forward to being a part of it," said Alanda Redmond, a Woodlawn resident.
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The neighborhood still celebrated, although the total cost of the center is $35 million, which is millions more than what's been already raised.
Brooks said he plans on continuing to fundraise by using social media to appeal to generous donors everywhere.