Meet Linda Lockman-Brooks, a sustaining member of The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC). In July, Linda became the first Black person and the first woman elected to chair the Central Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees. A marketing industry veteran, Linda 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
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, I grew up with one older sister. Our parents instilled in us an appreciation for all the opportunities that came our way. They also made sure we understood 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, my parents helped us to be resilient and focus on achieving our goals.
After graduating from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, I moved to New York City. While falling in love with the big city, my marketing career began and I met the love of my life, Wil Brooks. We married and moved out of Manhattan to New Jersey about a year later. After the birth of our daughter, I began looking for ways to be engaged in my local community and joined the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills in New Jersey (JLOSH).
Making an Impact with the Junior League
In New Jersey, the JLOSH focused on issues of homelessness for families. That interest continued for me when I transferred to the JLC after moving to Charlotte. The JLC has provided me with meaningful ways to serve in my community.
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.
“With my election as chair, now they see a Black woman as the leader of the board. I hope that is even more encouragement to the students that if they can see it, they can be it.“
Her Career & Commitment to Education
My service as a trustee and now as the chair of the board at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) allows me 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 Black and Brown. At CPCC, we talk about conquering possibilities, whether pursuing a degree, completing training for a technical field or gaining knowledge for a new career track. 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 encouragement to the students that if they can see it, they can be it.
As a businesswoman, I’ve enjoyed the marketing and communication roles I’ve had as a leader in large corporate firms and as a consultant and entrepreneur in recent years. Early on, I was encouraged to take some risks in my career. Once, I even took a step back to gain expertise at an ad agency. The experience I gained propelled me to the next opportunity at American Express.
My family is first and one thing many people don’t know about me is that it was my husband’s career move that brought us to Charlotte, even though I was in my dream job in New York. Making that move proved to be a very positive thing and I was able to continue my career. Being a business owner was not something I thought about early in my career. However, after building a career in Charlotte, I could leverage my skills, experience and expertise to become an entrepreneur and sustain a successful business.
Fun Facts About Linda
On a personal note, I don’t have many hobbies, but we adopted a puppy in 2020, so she takes up lots of time when I’m not working. Our children grew up in Charlotte, yet both have moved to the Coasts. Our daughter and her husband live in Los Angeles, and our son lives in Brooklyn, both fun places to visit. One of my heroes is Marion Wright Edelman. She is an attorney, activist and advocate for children. Ms. Edelman founded the Children’s Defense Fund and has fought for those trying to overcome poverty and discrimination for many years. The first time I had the chance to meet her, I fangirled completely.
