ISF Board of Directors Spotlight:  KJ Brent, Better.com

Written by Rachel Wood, Director of Marketing

Over the next several weeks we will introduce you to our ISF Board of Directors. For all of us at ISF,  it is especially important to have a team of board members who are invested in Charlotte and understand the significance and impact of its growth. We want to surround ourselves with people who love this city, this region and want to make it the best there is. We are so proud of this crew and they continue to amaze us with their strong passion to help us succeed, in any way they can.

Meet KJ Brent, Sale Associate/CEA with Better.com…

KJ Brent, then a local high school footballer and family friend, was only 18 years old when Isabella passed away. KJ and his family attended her Celebration of Life and something moved in him from that moment forward… and that something hasn’t stopped.

KJ went on to play football in college and the NFL. He played with the Raiders, Colts, Seahawks, and Bucs and as he hopped from NFL city to city, KJ continued to find ways to impact kids fighting cancer. Every football break when he was back in Charlotte, we would receive texts… how can I help?  In 2018, KJ jumped on the opportunity to become a mentoring big brother to a local cancer fighter. KJ has so much heart and we appreciated him constantly reaching out year after year for ways to get involved.

In 2019 KJ retired from the NFL and moved back to his hometown of Charlotte. Along his NFL journey, he married his high school sweetheart, Chelsea, and is a new daddy to 4-month-old, AJ.  We were thrilled when KJ accepted to join our Board of Directors a few months ago, we love how things come full circle.

“I got involved with ISF because of the feeling I had realized, at Isabella’s celebration of life, that we had the same favorite quote in life. I had already met her, but we didn’t get to know each other too well. It gave me a feeling of connection and after having already met the family through my parents I always told myself I wanted to be a bigger part of it. Being able to be a member of the Board now is more than I had ever expected and I hope I can make a difference. 

Charlotte is unique in a lot of ways. In many ways, I think we as a city are still trying to find our identity. And in doing so, the support that everyone gives each other is incredible. The social aspect and community outreach that I’ve been able to witness has been inspiring and always motivates me to do more. We’re growing fast and people are starting to understand what the queen city is really about. And I love that.”

When KJ was little he dreamed of playing professional sports and feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to accomplish that dream.  Unfortunately, so many kids with cancer won’t have the opportunity to live out their dreams.  We are honored KJ knows just how important dreams are and believes in our mission… To Beat Cancer, To Grow Hair, and for kids to be able to Live Their Dreams.