Joseph Hooks of Montgomery Village, MD, founder of the 480 Club, recently participated as a panelist for the Brookings Institution’s “Defining Well-Being for Black Men & Boys in the U.S.” event, part of the Wellness in Black Life (WIBL) initiative that was presented live on C-SPAN.
Born and raised in Montgomery Village, Hooks has spent years investing in the wellness and potential of Black youth through the 480 Club, which he launched in 2014. Named for the 480 minutes per week he dedicates to mentoring, the organization supports K–12 student-athletes via academic mentorship, social-emotional learning, and athletic guidance. It operates through partnerships with MCPS wellness centers, after-school programs like “Excel Beyond the Bell,” and community outreach efforts, making a tangible difference in Montgomery County schools and beyond.
Earlier this week, Brookings hosted a pivotal two-panel discussion titled “What does well-being mean for Black men and boys in the US?”, part of their Wellness in Black Life series. The event sought to centralize the perspectives of Black men by drawing on insights from community leaders and participants across multiple cities and areas, including Montgomery County.
Hooks joined representatives from various organizations and community participants from across the country to reflect on the engagement process and share stories drawn from lived experience. Panelists examined definitions of well-being rooted in emotional health, social connection, family, economic opportunity, and mental wellness, areas in which Hooks’ community work holds profound relevance.
