Today we’d like to introduce you to Des Brown.
Hi Des, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From Pandemic Discovery to Community Impact: My Pickleball Journey
By Des Brown, Founder of WePickle
I was introduced to the game of pickleball during the pandemic—a time when so many of us were looking for new ways to stay active and connected. A friend reached out and said he had discovered a game he wanted to share with me. He took me to a local park where we found a tennis court and began playing. That game was pickleball.
At first, it didn’t make much sense. It was just the two of us, and there were no pickleball lines on the court, which made it difficult to understand how it was supposed to be played. But a few weeks later, my friend called again—this time saying he had found actual pickleball courts where people played every day.
The next day, we went to check it out. The moment we arrived, we were welcomed by a friendly group of players who invited us to join a game. They took the time to explain the rules and helped us get started. From the moment I stepped onto the court, I was hooked. The game reminded me of ping pong—something I grew up playing at my neighborhood park—but this was ping pong with movement. I found myself playing every day. I was addicted.
Within a year, I had drastically improved my skills. I knew I had found a sport I would play for the rest of my life. I wasn’t new to competition—sports had always been a major part of my life. Football was my first love, and I earned a full scholarship to play quarterback at Johnson C. Smith University, where I led the team for four years. I’ve always loved to compete, and pickleball gave me a way to compete every day.
But beyond the competition, pickleball gave me something even more valuable: community. I built relationships with people across the city—people who were welcoming, supportive, and passionate about the game. That sense of connection made pickleball even more special.
As my love for the sport grew, it naturally evolved into a business. I realized pickleball combined two of my greatest passions: helping people and sports. That’s how WePickle Charleston was born—an initiative focused on promoting health and wellness through the game.
I became a certified instructor and started teaching pickleball to adults in Charleston. But I noticed one thing: the courts were full of adults, but there were no kids. That’s when I launched youth pickleball classes. The response was overwhelming—kids loved it.
Soon after, I was invited to provide pickleball enrichment for homeschool students. That opportunity opened the door to partnerships with school systems and recreation departments.
Today, WePickle offers pickleball programming across Charleston, SC and Atlanta, GA, including afterschool enrichment, senior programming, private lessons, clinics, tournaments, and more. In June, we’re expanding into Charlotte, NC, making it the third city we proudly serve.
At WePickle, we truly love what we do. The game has transformed my life, and now I get to use it to transform the lives of others—one player, one class, one community at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Yes, throughout this journey, the game of pickleball has faced its share of challenges—chief among them being the lack of dedicated pickleball courts. As the sport grew rapidly in popularity, communities simply didn’t have enough courts to meet the demand. Pickleball players were often forced to use tennis courts, which led to tension and conflict with tennis players who felt their space was being taken over. This sparked frustration on both sides and ignited a broader conversation about access to recreational facilities. In response, the pickleball community began advocating to local city officials for the creation of dedicated courts. While progress has been made, there is still a shortage of pickleball-specific spaces. It remains an ongoing effort and a critical part of the sport’s continued growth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
WePickle specializes in promoting health and wellness through the sport of pickleball. We take pride in introducing a lifelong activity that encourages movement, connection, and fun. Our mission is to share this game with as many people as possible—especially those in underserved communities who may not otherwise have access to it. We believe pickleball is for everyone, regardless of age, background, or athletic ability. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or someone new to physical activity, this game meets you where you are. It truly is a sport for all.
As an African American man, I understood the importance of sharing this game with people who look like me. Early on, I noticed there was very little representation of African American players in the pickleball community. That lack of visibility motivated me to be part of the change. I made it my mission to introduce the sport to seniors, youth, and adults in the African American community—ensuring they had the same access and opportunities as everyone else.
Understanding the health challenges that often impact our communities, I saw pickleball as more than just a game—it was a tool to promote movement, wellness, and connection. I wanted to get people off the couch and engaged in physical activity that could truly improve their lives.
Over time, that mission evolved into something bigger. I founded Black Pickleballers United (BPU), a nonprofit dedicated to promoting health and wellness through pickleball in the African American community. Since then, we’ve witnessed a powerful shift—African American players are showing up across the country.
BPU began in Atlanta, GA, which has now become the unofficial Mecca for African American pickleball. Thousands of Black players participate daily across the city. It brings me immense joy to step on the court surrounded by people who look like me, knowing we’re not only playing a game—we’re building a healthier, stronger community. It’s a true sense of accomplishment to see lives being changed through pickleball.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
WePickle employs several certified instructors who specialize in both adult and youth programming. We have worked hard to establish strong partnerships throughout the city, collaborating with local recreation departments, school systems, community organizations, and nonprofit partners to expand access to the game of pickleball.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Wepicklechs.com
- Instagram: WePicklechs
- Facebook: WePickle
