October 11, 2024
CHARLOTTE (Oct. 3, 2022)— After a three-year hiatus, Habitat for Humanity will welcome
hundreds of volunteers, staff, community members and country music superstars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood to don their hard hats once again for the global housing nonprofit’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
At a press conference in the Queen City today, Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford “passed the
hammer” to Lauri Mumford, board chair of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region, to
signal the start of the next Carter Work Project, which will be held in Charlotte from Oct. 1-6,
2023. Miles away, wrapping up a stadium tour, Brooks and Yearwood shared their desire and
intent to uphold President and Mrs. Carter’s enduring legacy by hosting the event.
The much beloved former president and first lady, who are celebrated as Habitat’s most famous volunteers, are enjoying their retirement in Plains, Georgia, and will not attend the 2023 project. Together, from 1984 until 2019, they served as champions and strong voices for decent, affordable housing around the world, having worked alongside more than 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,390 homes during that time.
“Though we could never fill their shoes, we are so incredibly honored to be given the
opportunity to carry President and Mrs. Carter’s legacy forward through the continuation of the Carter Work Project,” Brooks said.
This Carter Work Project will mark Brooks’ and Yearwoods’ thirteenth. They first volunteered
with Habitat in 2007 in New Orleans to help build post-Katrina Habitat homes on the Gulf
Coast, and since then, have lent their names and support to numerous Habitat events and
projects. Along with the Carters, Yearwood and Brooks were recognized as Habitat
Humanitarians in 2016.
The Meadows at Plato Price community will sit on land formerly occupied by Plato Price School, an all-black school for grades 1 through 12 that was closed in 1966 as part of the county’s desegregation plan.
Over five days, future homeowners will work alongside Brooks, Yearwood, and hundreds of
other volunteers from Charlotte and around the world to build 20 homes on nine acres of land
off Morris Field Drive, which formerly housed an all-black school that was a transformative
education and civic space for the black community in the early 1900s through the mid-60s.
Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region broke ground on the project Sept. 8, 2021. With
seven homes already under construction, the entire 39-home project is expected to be completed by early 2025.
“The Carter Work Project was last held in Charlotte 36 years ago, not long after the city
demolished Plato Price School. It is striking and significant to have the opportunity to rebuild
and revitalize an area that was once an important keystone for the Black community in
Charlotte,” Reckford said. “As the Carters have stepped out of public life, I am so grateful that
Garth and Trisha have picked up the mantle to set an example of servant leadership and inspire
people to join Habitat in advancing our mission of building a world where everyone has a safe,
decent and affordable place to live.”
The $7.8 million Meadows at Plato Price community development project is estimated to be the Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region’s largest to date. The City of Charlotte donated the land to the organization, and matched Ally Charitable Foundation’s principal investment of $1M.
“The example set by President & Mrs. Carter on how to care for those in our community in need of housing is inspiring,” said Laura Belcher, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region. “It is an honor to be selected to be part of that story and to carry on their legacy as we enter our 40th year in Charlotte.“
Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region has served more than 3,500 families in the City of Charlotte, Pineville, Lake Norman area and Iredell County since it was founded in 1983.
