Tribute to East Liberty community leader Jamil Brookins

Jamil Brookins
January 29, 1948 - September 9, 2018
East Liberty business owner and community leader
by Markita Wilburn, Maitri Medicinals Pharmacist

Jamil is an integral part of East Liberty, or the east end as it is now known. East Liberty was once the one-stop convenient shop for black and brown people. Back in the day, the sidewalks of East Liberty were once filled with street vendors and eager buyers scouring tables for cassette discs, natural oils, incense sticks, shoes, clothing and jewelry. Weather permitting, this was the typical scene on Penn Avenue, between Centre and Highland Avenues, every day but Sunday.

After serving our country as a Marine in the Vietnam War, Jamil worked for many years as an ironworker constructing buildings downtown. One day, he and his wife, Rashida, decided they would go into business for themselves. Jamil then began selling incense sticks, oils and jewelry door to door after his laboring shift. Eventually, Jamil positioned himself as a vendor selling those same goods on Penn Avenue’s street market.

In 1994, Jamil and Rashida purchased a storefront across the street from his vendor table. They called it Jamil’s Global Village. Here you could find Jamil either reading, as he loved to do, or talking of Africa, or discussing in detail the reasons for how the products in his store were for one’s mind, body and spirit. The community flocked to him for his knowledge of self, and many reasons thereof. What a lot may find surprising, where others find esteem, Jamil opened this shop without a financial handout. Over time, invading developments within East Liberty tried to force Jamil out by raising costs, However, Jamil’s Global Village sustained these challenges. This black man maintained a black business in America, right here in the heart and city of Pittsburgh for 25 years and counting.

Jamil Brookins represents hard work, perseverance, leadership and community. He was an iconic presence in East Liberty. His disciplines were an inspiration and his contributions to East Liberty were unwavering. His storefront remains on the same block on Penn Avenue, where you can find products for the mind, body and spirit. It is now managed by his family.

Jamil’s Global Village is the epicenter of black culture in Pittsburgh. At Maitri, we are honored to be a part of this community, providing natural alternative options for the mind and body right here in East Liberty.