brookhill matters
Brookhill Village is an affordable rental community in the South End area of Charlotte, North Carolina. The neighborhood of Brookhill Village was developed in the 1950’s specifically for Black families. Many of the residents currently living there have been there for several generations. Due to the popularity of the South End and gentrification that has resulted, many people in the community have been displaced and anticipate potential displacement.
For many years I have built relationships with a number of the residents of Brookhill Village and have assisted Debbie Williams, the Executive Director of the Brookhill Community Resource Center, with her work. Through those relationships I have created photos and individual portraits to assist residents with sharing stories of the community in which they live. Individual portraits were created with the direction of each person who was photographed and in a location meaningful to them.
There is hope that those who remain can stay in their community as the newest developer of the property works to prevent displacement. For the past several years the mantra has been ~ “Brookhill Matters - Preserving our History.”
brookhill matters - Debbie ~ Raised in Brookhill Village, Debbie serves as the director of the Brookhill Community Resource Center. Working alongside neighbors as the community changes, she is a fierce advocate for Brookhill and its residents.
brookhill matters - Deborah and her daughter ~ Deborah was raised in Brookhill Village and has continued to live in this neighborhood where she raised her own daughter. This neighborhood is her community and an affordable place to live.
brookhill matters - Terry ~ Sitting on the steps of his former apartment, "where the stork dropped him," Terry shares about the businesses that used to be in the area where residents of Brookhill Village worked. He is active in the community and served on a committee to assess the strengths and needs of the neighborhood.
brookhill matters - Demetrice ~ For over 35 years Demetrice has worked in the healthcare industry. She raised her son and daughter in Brookhill Village and speaks out about the needs of the residents there. Demetrice is proud of her children, one of whom has a Master of Social Work degree and one who graduated from college during the pandemic.
brookhill matters - Pat ~ Recently Pat moved from Brookhill Village to a senior living apartment in uptown Charlotte. She has a heart for the children of Brookhill and hopes to continue a connection with them.
brookhill matters - Smallwood ~ Serving in the church adjacent to the Brookhill neighborhood, Smallwood has assisted with the free community lunches and with the collection of the Sunday offering.
