Black excellence in Memphis has never been accidental. It’s been engineered through vision, discipline, and a commitment to community.
For Brent Hooks, that legacy is both inherited and actively built.
The native Memphian and regional vice president at Cornerstone Engineering recently became the first professional from Memphis and Tennessee to earn dual recognition on two of the nation’s most prestigious young professional lists in architecture, engineering, and construction: Engineering News-Record’s Top Young Professionals 40 Under 40 and Building Design + Construction’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025.
In an industry where representation shapes opportunity, Hooks’ achievement sends a clear message: Memphis produces leaders who shape cities across the country.
Rooted in Memphis
Born and raised in Memphis, Hooks’ leadership journey began early. He earned his degree in accounting and finance from the University of Memphis before completing an Executive MBA at Vanderbilt University, building a foundation that blends financial strategy with operational leadership.
Before joining Cornerstone Engineering, Hooks served as Chief Administrative Officer at Allworld Project Management, helping guide the civil engineering and construction management firm through rapid growth. Under his leadership, the company earned recognition on Inc. Magazine’s Fastest-Growing Companies in America list in 2019 and 2023.
Allworld played a role in several transformative Memphis developments, including Crosstown Concourse, the Fairgrounds redevelopment, Hotel Chisca, and The Citizen at Union and McLean — projects that continue to shape how residents experience the city.
Today, Hooks leads strategic growth and operations for Cornerstone across the Southeastern United States, including Memphis, Atlanta, and Birmingham. His work drives business development while ensuring projects directly impact quality of life. His work increasingly intersects with large-scale redevelopment efforts, capital strategy, and public-private partnerships that influence how cities grow.
“I view my work as an opportunity to make a positive contribution to my community,” Hooks has shared.
Hooks has expressed long-term ambitions in real estate development and financial structuring, aiming to help shape the next generation of transformative projects in Memphis and beyond.
A Legacy of Leadership
Excellence for Hooks is generational. His great-great-grandmother, Julia Britton Hooks, was the first Black woman to attend Berea College. His great-uncle, Benjamin L. Hooks, served as Tennessee’s first Black criminal court judge and later as executive director of the NAACP.
That legacy informs his commitment to access, opportunity, and civic investment.
Beyond his executive leadership, Hooks serves on several boards, including the Downtown Memphis Commission, the New Ballet Ensemble & School, and the Chairman ACE Mentor Program of Memphis, supporting economic development and creative growth across the city.
“This honor reflects the power of Memphis and what’s possible for our young people,” Hooks said of his national recognition. “I hope it inspires students across our city to explore careers in STEM.”
Brent Hooks’ story is a reminder that Black legacy in Memphis isn’t just historical — it’s present, active, and building the future in real time.
Because here, excellence doesn’t just live.
It leads.
