## “Judgement-Free” Pickleball: A New Court of Empowerment

 

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In Charlotte, North Carolina, a grassroots nonprofit is removing barriers to entry—not just to a sport, but to community, connection, and empowerment. **Black Pickleball & Co.**, founded in 2023, has created a “judgement-free zone,” teaching pickleball fundamentals while weaving in financial literacy, networking, and cultural enrichment for Black residents who may not traditionally see themselves as part of the booming pickleball movement

 

Pickleball has exploded nationwide, with participation up nearly 311% since 2020 . But growth hasn’t been uniform. Many Black Charlotters, particularly from underrepresented neighborhoods, lack access—whether from expensive club memberships, limited representation, or simple lack of exposure to paddles and courts.

 

Recognizing this gap, Kayla Brooks—founder and president of Black Pickleball & Co.—set out to create something more than just a lesson in sport. With the motto “judgement-free zone,” the organization provides basic drills, match play, paddle and ball access, all delivered in casual, welcoming settings where newcomers can learn at their own pace

 

What sets this nonprofit apart is its mix of sport with education:

 

* **On-court pickleball instruction**: Ranging from grip and serves to doubles strategy, participants learn foundational skills in small, supportive groups.

 

* **Financial literacy coaching**: Partners coach budgeting, entrepreneurship, credit basics, and investment, all pitched at real-world levels during or after play. It’s “short games, long-term connections,” says Brooks

 

* **Networking**: The sessions echo more than club matches—they’re community meet-ups. At locations like Rally Pickleball, Tipsy Pickle, and LABCITY Pickleball Club, cards are exchanged, business ideas are pitched, and collaborative ventures are born.

 

Black Pickleball & Co. leverages the informal, causal environment of a pickleball court to foster deeper conversations around personal development and community uplift—a form of “courtside empowerment.”

 

A WCNC report notes that “hundreds flock to their Charlotte events,” and the energy is palpable  While participant voices are still emerging in mainstream coverage, the buzz is reflected in the expanding turnout.

 

Local YouTube features capture Brooks leading warm-ups and offering encouragement, while court chat shifts from low-pressure play to discussions about savings, credit, and starting side hustles . The video shows the palpable joy and confidence building across skill levels, highlighting an important message: **this space is for every skill level, every walk of life**.

 

1. **Fighting exclusion through inclusivity**

Pickleball has grown, but representation remains skewed. Black Pickleball & Co. is intentionally changing the narrative—preaching sport as a vehicle for belonging, not as a gatekeeping wall.

 

2. **Merging sport and life skills**

Sports programs are common; programs that also teach financial literacy are rare. This hybrid approach helps plant seeds for long‑term economic resilience in communities that too often lack access to such tools.

 

3. **Creating social capital**

Beyond learning, participants build networks. Cards are exchanged, mentorship seeds planted. The results can transcend a single rally, sparking career shifts or collaborative ventures.

 

4. **Combating mental health struggles**

Structured, non-judgmental play boosts confidence, alleviates stress, and fosters community—key for mental well-being, especially important amid rising stresses nationwide.

 

Though still young, Black Pickleball & Co. has reached impressive momentum:

 

* **Hundreds of participants** at regular clinics and pop-ups across the city

* **Strategic partnerships** with clubs like Rally Pickleball, Tipsy Pickle, and LABCITY Pickleball Club, enabling scalable, accessible site placement

* **Social media and media coverage** beginning to highlight their dual-purpose model and its deeper community resonance.

 

* **Resources**: They rely on donated gear, volunteer coaches, and sponsorships. Sustainable funding remains essential.

* **Cultural awareness**: Pickleball isn’t universally seen as welcoming. Black Pickleball & Co. must reinforce that everyone belongs—especially first-timers.

* **Scaling footprints**: Keeping sessions varied and plentiful across different neighborhoods requires continuous coordination and cooperation with facilities.

 

Yet the lessons they’re delivering may keep expansion both sustainable and community-focused.

Charlotte isn’t alone. Across the nation, nonprofits and local movements are using pickleball as a tool—whether for veterans, seniors, youth empowerment, or community rehabilitation. However, the targeted, culturally responsive mission of Black Pickleball & Co. sets it apart: they are not just playing—they’re cultivating confidence, competition, comradery, and credit building—all within a single session at the net.

 

This mirrors social-impact trends where sport becomes a gateway to emotional uplift, cultural resilience, and financial autonomy.

 

 

In pickleball’s bounce, Charlotte feels possibility. For many—newbies with paddles in hand, partners shaking off losses, newcomers stepping out of fear—this is more than just a game. It’s a judgment-free zone where every serve and volley is an act of self-investment.

 

As Kayla Brooks puts it: “My heart is full that they have been a part of our mission to enable them to learn the game” . Her organization shows that sports can do more than entertain—they can elevate.

 

So, if you stroll past a local court and see laughter, high-fives, and life-lessons in progress—know it’s not just fun—it might be part of a broader play: a movement empowering Black communities through pickleball, pocketbooks, and peer support.

 

Charlotteans and beyond can uplift this vision by:

 

* Donating paddles, balls, or financial education resources

* Volunteering coaching time or financial expertise

* Helping connect Black Pickleball & Co. with clubs, schools, and grantmakers

 

Pickleball is booming—but closing opportunity gaps matters more. Here in Charlotte, that gap is turning into a net, and at this court, everyone’s invited to play, learn, and level up.

 

Let me know if you’d like interviews, imagery, or to expand on specific players and coaches involved!