Meet the Speakers and Panelists for Rise to [Re]Build Breakfast
On April 9, 2025, Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte will host the inaugural Rise to Rebuild Breakfast at The Ruth in Charlotte, NC. This event marks 15 years of impact and is a call to action for housing stability and community revitalization.
The morning will feature a keynote address from Leah Rothstein and a panel discussion with local neighborhood leaders working to address housing justice, displacement, and community empowerment.
Keynote Speaker: Leah Rothstein
Leah Rothstein is a housing policy expert and author focused on addressing the lasting impact of segregation in housing. She co-authored Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law, which provides a practical guide for communities looking to correct the inequities caused by discriminatory housing policies.
Her work expands on the research in The Color of Law, a bestseller by her father, Richard Rothstein, that details how federal, state, and local governments played a direct role in segregating neighborhoods. Leah has worked with nonprofit housing developers, cities, and community organizations to advocate for affordable housing solutions. She has also led efforts in community organizing, environmental justice, workplace safety, and youth leadership.
A book signing will follow the event, with copies of Just Action available for attendees.
Panel Discussion: Local Leaders Creating Change
Following the keynote, a panel of neighborhood leaders will discuss the challenges of housing stability, gentrification, and preserving community identity in Charlotte. Each panelist represents a different neighborhood and brings firsthand experience in community organizing and advocacy.
Greg Jarrell
Founder, QC Family Tree
Neighborhood: Enderly Park
Greg Jarrell is an author, community organizer, and minister based in Enderly Park. He is the co-founder of QC Family Tree, a cultural organizing group working to address housing displacement and create sustainable, equitable communities. His book, Our Trespasses: White Churches and the Taking of American Neighborhoods, examines how churches played a role in the displacement of Black communities during the urban renewal projects of the 1950s and 60s.
Greg is also a senior campaign organizer for The Redress Movement, a national nonprofit working to correct housing injustices at the local level. He has been an advocate for equitable development and land ownership in West Charlotte since 2005 and was a founding organizer of Charlotte’s West Side Community Land Trust. He and his wife, Helms, are both ordained ministers and parents to two children.
Rachel Zwipf
Chair, Pottstown Heritage Group
Neighborhood: Pottstown
Rachel Zwipf is a community advocate, entrepreneur, and leader in Pottstown, a historically Black neighborhood in Mecklenburg County. She is the founder and chair of the Pottstown Heritage Group, a nonprofit focused on preserving the community’s history, protecting residents from displacement, and advocating for infrastructure improvements.
She also leads efforts to preserve landmarks like the historic Torrence-Lytle High School. Her advocacy extends to securing funding for emergency home repairs and ensuring that local government agencies prioritize the needs of Pottstown’s residents.
Outside of her community work, Rachel is an entrepreneur who founded Clean Chicks, a residential cleaning service, and Lily Springs, a natural cleaning product company. She started her business as a single mother looking for flexible work and has since built it into a thriving enterprise that promotes eco-friendly cleaning solutions. She believes in mentorship and works to create opportunities for other aspiring entrepreneurs.
Melissa Gaston
Owner, Melissa Gaston Realty and Executive Director, North End Community Coalition
Neighborhood: Druid Hills
Melissa Gaston is a real estate professional with nearly two decades of experience helping buyers, sellers, and investors navigate Charlotte’s rapidly changing housing market. She owns and operates Melissa Gaston Realty, where she specializes in affordable housing and property management for investors committed to providing stable housing options for low-income residents.
She is also the executive director of the North End Community Coalition, a nonprofit working to preserve and protect the eight neighborhoods that make up Charlotte’s North End. Through her work, she advocates for policies that prevent displacement and ensure long-term affordability for residents.
Melissa serves on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission and the Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization Commission. She holds an MBA and a master's degree in human resources management from the University of Maryland and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Pfeiffer University. She enjoys reading, spending time with her grandkids, and shopping on Amazon.
Marjorie Parker
President, Hidden Valley Community Association
Neighborhood: Hidden Valley
Marjorie Parker is a longtime leader in the Hidden Valley community. After retiring from a 33-year career in government, she became president of the Hidden Valley Community Association, where she works to protect homeowners, advocate for infrastructure improvements, and strengthen neighborhood engagement.
She previously worked as a health information supervisor for Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health and later as a records manager for Charlotte Area Transit System.
She is passionate about helping others and enjoys event planning, cooking, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family. She is a mother of three and a grandmother of three.
Master of Ceremonies: Christian Brown
Christian Brown is a distinguished Master of Ceremonies, Voice of God (VOG) announcer, and narrator, known for his commanding presence and rich, resonant voice.
With a background in broadcasting and event hosting, he seamlessly blends on- stage charisma with behind-the-scenes precision, making him a trusted choice for corporate conferences, nonprofit events, and TEDx engagements.
As an emcee, Christian keeps audiences engaged, sets the tone, and ensures smooth transitions between speakers and sessions. As a Voice of God announcer, he delivers seamless event narration with clarity and authority, guiding audiences with professionalism and poise.
Beyond live events, Christian’s voice extends into narration, voiceovers, and audiobooks, where his depth, tone, and precision bring stories and messages to life. His ability to captivate listeners makes him a sought-after talent for projects that require both warmth and gravitas.
Recognized in Who’s Who in Black Charlotte, Christian brings excellence, energy, and elegance to every event. Beyond the mic, he is an avid Yankees fan and a walking jukebox, with an encyclopedic knowledge of music and sports.
Join the Conversation
The Rise to Rebuild Breakfast is an opportunity to engage with experts and community leaders working to protect housing stability in Charlotte. The event will bring together business leaders, elected officials, and nonprofit advocates to discuss solutions for neighborhood revitalization.
Date: April 9, 2025
Location: The Ruth, 2122 Thrift Rd C, Charlotte, NC
Sponsorship Opportunities
With sponsorship opportunities ranging from $2,500 to $50,000, we invite you to find a level that aligns with your budget and commitment to strengthening our community. Your support makes critical home repairs possible for low-income families, ensuring they can live in safe and healthy homes.
By partnering with Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte, your brand will be showcased to a highly engaged audience through email, social media, website visibility, and direct community impact.
Sponsorship opportunities are available, with funds supporting critical home repairs for low-income homeowners.
For tickets or sponsorship information, contact Shereese Floyd at shereese@rebuildingtogetherclt.org.