Pickleball is Uniting Charlotte’s Diverse Community: The fast-growing sport of pickleball is capturing Charlotte’s attention, and Black Pickleball & Co., a local non-profit, is using it to foster connections within the Black community. Founded in 2023, the organization is on a mission to create inclusive networking opportunities, uniting people across the Queen City through the popular paddle sport.
Kayla Brooks, founder and president of Black Pickleball & Co., sees the non-profit as more than just a sports club.
“I consider us more to be a community. We bring people into the community. We just so happen to play pickleball.” – (Kayla Brooks)
The organization has become a platform for camaraderie, unity, and shared experiences through this community-centered approach.
Networking Beyond the Pickleball Court
As Charlotte’s diversity grows, so does the reach of Black Pickleball & Co. Every few weeks, the non-profit hosts open-play events, providing opportunities not only to learn the sport but also to network and make new friends. For Kayla Brooks, the group’s mission is about more than just play; it’s about creating valuable connections.
“Charlotte is growing, it’s very diverse, and we want to make sure people have opportunities to like meet people and to grow their network and things like that.” – (Kayla Brooks)
At these events, barriers seem to disappear.
“When you do something that’s cross-class, like pickleball, it doesn’t matter what I look like, how much money I make. If someone needs a fourth in the game, if I can play, I’m hopping in. And now we’re having conversations about life, family, work, all the things, and now I just got a job offer.” – (Kayla Brooks)
Expanding Access and Building Friendships
The impact of Black Pickleball & Co. extends beyond the game itself. Jonathan Okafor, a recent participant, shared that his journey with pickleball began thanks to the non-profit’s welcoming environment.
“It’s good to have folks like us because it encourages more of us to come out here to play and have fun and get good at the sport and maybe make some new friends.” – (Kayla Brooks)
Envisioning a National Community
Kayla Brooks envisions a future where the community built by Black Pickleball & Co. in Charlotte spreads to other cities.
“Our hope is to also have chapters to be in other cities. So the same thing that you experience here, maybe at a different facility, but you can go somewhere else. If you’re part of our community, you can go to another city and find the same community and have a place to belong.” – (Kayla Brooks)
News in Brief: Pickleball is Uniting Charlotte’s Diverse Community
Black Pickleball & Co., a non-profit in Charlotte, North Carolina, is using pickleball as a tool for connection and community building within the Black community. Led by founder Kayla Brooks, the organization hosts regular pickleball events aimed at networking and social engagement.
The non-profit’s inclusive approach allows players to connect across social lines, fostering friendships and professional opportunities. Kayla Brooks hopes to expand the organization’s reach to other cities, creating a national network for members. In a growing city, Black Pickleball & Co. has become a hub for community, fun, and inclusivity through the game of pickleball.
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