Sustainer Spotlight

Linda Lockman-Brooks is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC). Sustaining members were previously active members who have chosen to stay involved with the Junior League, without the commitment of hours of service. Recently, Linda became the first Black person and the first woman elected to chair the Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) Board of Trustees. A marketing industry veteran, Linda has served as a leader in large corporate firms and as a consultant and entrepreneur in recent years. She is the founder and president of Lockman-Brooks Marketing Services and shares her expertise as a JLC Marketing and Outreach Task Force Member.

Linda’s Early Life

Linda was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri where she grew up with one older sister. Her parents instilled an appreciation for every opportunity. Her parents also helped them to understand that the world was not always fair – discrimination against Black people is real. With love, support, lots of encouragement and serious conversations about the impact of race, Linda’s parents helped Linda and her sister become resilient and focus on achieving their goals.

After graduating from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, Linda moved to New York City to begin her marketing career. She met her husband and later moved to New Jersey. After the birth of their daughter, Linda began looking for ways to be engaged in her local community, which led her to join the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills in New Jersey (JLOSH).

After moving to Charlotte, Linda transferred to the JLC. She notes that, “The JLC has provided her with meaningful ways to serve in my community.”

A Career & Commitment to Education

Linda now serves others as a trustee and chair of the board at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), which allows her to advocate for the college in the broader community and provide guidance and policy governance to the excellent staff who lead the college. The students come from all walks of life and many are students of color. Linda believes that an education at CPCC can change the trajectory of a person’s life, while providing a path to economic mobility. “When students look at the leadership and the diverse staff at CPCC, they also see a diverse board of trustees. With my election as chair, now they see a Black woman as the leader of the board. I hope that is even more encouraging to the students that if they can see it, they can be it.”

“My most impactful placement was in the ‘90s working with Charlotte Emergency Housing, which is now part of Charlotte Family Housing. The partnership involved supporting the needs of women and children living in a temporary shelter; from organizing activities for the children and participating in the group sessions facilitated by a social worker, to providing supplies and resources for the staff.” - Linda Lockman-Brooks