Building homes is about so much more than building houses—it’s about building people up around you. That’s what makes a community.
As President of Brookline Homes, I make it a point to join local events that bring the Charlotte community closer together. This past summer, I had the privilege of participating in two that speak directly to Brookline’s values of inclusion, respect, heart, and joy.
Girls Construction Camp: Laying the Foundation for Fulfilling Careers
Construction isn’t just for the boys—I’ve lived that truth as the President of a successful homebuilder. Women have an important role to play in this industry, and it’s powerful to introduce girls to that possibility early on.
Right here in Charlotte, the Professional Women in Building Council hosted its fourth annual Girls Construction Camp in July. This camp gives middle school and high school girls hands-on exposure to many sides of the industry. It’s a cause close to my heart: I helped organize the first camp and hosted it at the Brookline Office. Watching it grow year after year has been incredibly rewarding.
Most families never get to see all that goes into building a home, and many girls don’t realize there are career paths that go far beyond swinging a hammer. At camp, they explore everything from architecture to landscape design to surveying and interior design—each role building their skills and confidence.
Generous partners make this possible: 84 Lumber donated building materials, Sherwin-Williams provided paint and brushes, and countless others donated money, time, and expertise. Thanks to their support, the girls had the right tools to succeed—and knew their community believed in them.
One of my favorite parts each year is watching the transformation. At first, power tools like drills and miter saws can feel intimidating. But after a little practice, the girls handle them like seasoned pros. This year, masonry was the big hit—brick by brick, they weren’t just building walls, they were breaking down barriers.
By the last day, with extra wood and materials left over, the girls begged to keep building. With the help of volunteers, they made everything from shelves to a cat house. They left with more than projects—they left with proof that with the right tools and encouragement, anything is possible.
Charlotte Pride Parade: Home Is Where You Can Be Yourself
Community is also about creating a space where people can truly belong. That spirit was on full display at the Charlotte Pride Parade, where the LGBTQ community gathers each year to celebrate authenticity and love.
I’ve had the joy of participating in Pride personally, but this was Brookline Homes’ first year as a vendor. It felt like such a natural fit: our team is diverse, we’re woman-led, and at our core we believe home is where the heart is. What better place to celebrate those values than Pride?
This was nothing like a typical home expo. At Pride, people weren’t focused on buying homes—they were focused on being themselves. The energy was joyful, laid-back, and welcoming. We connected with so many new friends over those two days.
To spark conversations, we set up a “spin the wheel” game with gift cards as prizes. When we ran out, we improvised: landing on “tea” meant it was time to “spill some tea.”
Attendees shared stories, laughs, and heartfelt moments. The chance to simply listen and create space for others ended up being the most meaningful prize of all.
Building Homes, Building Community
For me, both of these events captured the heart of what homebuilding is really about—creating places where people feel supported, connected, and free to be themselves.
If you know of similar events in the Charlotte area that build up our community, I’d love to hear from you. My team at Brookline Homes and I are always eager to be part of the good work happening around us.
