Morgan Thompson

Morgan Gabrielle Thompson, a cherished wife, mother, daughter and accomplished media marketing executive, passed away on July 8th in Los Angeles at the age of 40. She was born on November 1, 1982, in New York City and was the oldest child of Wil Brooks and Linda Lockman-Brooks.

As a young girl, Morgan lived in Teaneck and South Orange, New Jersey. At the age of 6, her family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she and her brother Garrett grew up. Morgan graduated from the International Baccalaureate Program at Myers Park High School and received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill School of Media and Journalism. In college, Morgan served as a Residential Advisor and gained early exposure to the media industry as a writer for UNC’s Black Ink Newspaper.

After graduation, a media internship brought Morgan back to NYC, where she worked in integrated marketing and communications for Time Inc. and Hearst. Her work building brand partnerships continued when she joined Warner Bros. Entertainment. In 2018, she moved to Los Angeles where she worked for Bunim Murray Productions before joining Westbrook Media in 2022. 

In Morgan’s own words – “I’m passionate about creating impactful partnerships with brands and talent to tell stories that engage consumers and drive action. I’ve built a career that combines entertainment, marketing strategy, project management and client service that creates campaigns that build revenue.”

In 2004, Morgan met her husband, Ross Thompson, through an introduction made by their mothers.  Their relationship blossomed and in 2009, Ross surprised Morgan with a marriage proposal on Martha’s Vineyard at his parents’ home surrounded by both sides of the family. They were married at the Ballantyne Hotel in Charlotte in 2011. Harlem, NYC was home for Morgan and Ross where they enjoyed a wonderful circle of friends as Morgan built her career and became active in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc and the Junior League of New York. In 2018, Morgan and Ross’s careers took them to Los Angeles. 

While in NYC, Morgan was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She channeled her fighting spirit and with Ross by her side, she endured several years of treatments. She refused to be defined by her illness and by the time they moved to Los Angeles, she was not only in remission but focused on starting a family.  After almost two years of family discussions followed by preparation, Morgan and Ross chose to pursue becoming adoptive parents and on July 23, 2022, they welcomed their baby daughter, Madison Gianna Thompson. The joy of parenthood was immense for Morgan and Ross. Yet her health was compromised again by the effects of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma treatment and an infection.

We will remember Morgan as a woman who embraced life, even under the most difficult circumstances. She loved her family fiercely and was a friend who delighted in pop culture, fashion, adventures, and travel.  She was a talented young executive and as the president of her firm said, “Morgan brought fire and light to the world far beyond the work she did every day. She always had a way of looking at things through an optimistic lens and she brought out the best in the people she worked with.”

Morgan is survived by her beloved husband, Ross Thompson, and her daughter, Madison Gianna Thompson. She will be missed deeply by her brother, Garrett Brooks, the Thompson family, and a host of friends and colleagues around the country. Her parents, Wil Brooks and Linda Lockman-Brooks, want us to look up at the sky and when we see the shining stars, remember Morgan.

The family has decided to establish The Morgan Gabrielle Thompson Foundation to honor her life and create a legacy for many years to come.  Those interested in making a contribution can mail checks to Schwab Charitable, 1958 Summit Park Dr., Suite 200, Orlando, FL 32810.  Please make checks payable to Schwab Charitable, in the memo reference The Morgan Gabrielle Thompson Foundation and  account number 6545-8924.  Additional information and contribution options can be located at www.schwabcharitable.org.