North Star LGBTQ+ Community Center
930 Burke St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101
ABOUT US
In 2012, our journey began with Founding Board Chair, Teresa Carter, conducting a Needs Assessment during the PRIDE Winston-Salem march. This assessment aimed to determine if the Triad area required an LGBTQ Community Center. At that time, the absence of such centers in the Triad was evident, especially when Raleigh and Charlotte had already established their own. Determined to make a difference, Ms. Carter visited these centers to learn about starting and funding a new one. The results of the Needs Assessment were overwhelmingly positive, with over 93% of participants expressing a strong need for an LGBTQ Center in Winston-Salem.
This crucial support motivated Ms. Carter to begin organizing a Board for the Center in 2012. In a significant step forward, Winston-Salem Equality, another local nonprofit, has agreed to merge with us, enabling a unified effort. The name “North Star Community Center” was chosen, inspired by the first gay comic strip hero, North Star, as well as the navigational importance of the North Star itself.
After navigating the intricacies of completing our 501(c)(3) non-profit status, we set out to find a suitable location in 2013. Our first home was a lovely house located at 704 Brookstown Ave. in downtown Winston-Salem, which has since become a part of the Positive Wellness Alliance. Due to various challenges, we later moved to our current location at 930 Burke Street. During our early days, North Star also served as an umbrella organization for “Out at the Movies” until they secured their own 501(c)(3) status.
Thanks to the generous support from foundations such as the Adams Foundation, Winston-Salem Foundation, Smith Reynolds Foundation, Arcus Foundation, and Reynolds Foundation, we were able to hire our first Center Manager. A special moment for us was the establishment of our library, made possible by a private donation from Kevin Jennings in honor of his mother, with additional furniture donated by Keith Preston Phillips.
Our fundraising efforts have also been a highlight, particularly with the launch of “In Good Company,” an event that recognizes local businesses for their equality policies. Hosted at the Embassy Suites Banquet Room, this annual event has successfully raised over $20,000 each year, attracting around 250 guests. The inaugural event featured the inspiring invocation by Bishop Gene Robinson and included numerous guest speakers who shared their insights. The annual fundraiser has since transformed into a month-long campaign, Give Out Days, and a yearly kick-off event, “Cocktails for a Cause,” featuring our amateur Rising Mx. North Star Drag Competition.
"As the founder of North Star, I am immensely proud of our Board members, volunteers, donors, and staff who work tirelessly to provide a safe space for everyone. With a variety of support groups and activities, we strive to make a difference in our community. I eagerly look forward to the next 10 years and all that we can achieve together!"
— Teresa Carter
Board of Directors
Michelle Burrnett
Board Chair
Michelle Burnett joined the board in May 2025, following a long tenure as a volunteer and running Tabletop Gayming since June 2024.
She grew up just north of Albany, NY, and moved here in 2013. Michelle has an associate’s degree in early childhood development from Forsyth Tech in 2020.
Her passions include creating a love of learning in children and creating a safe place for our community. Her primary motivation for joining the board is to make a difference and establish connections within the local LGBTQIA community. Her interests include going to drag shows, puzzles, crafts, and going out with friends.
Emma Sims
Vice Chair & Programming Chair
Emma joined the North Star board in January 2026. She graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in English and Psychology. She went on to get a Masters of Arts in Psychology from Wake Forest University, and currently works in Product Strategy. Emma is originally from Winston Salem. She has a passion for creating accessible LGBTQ+ events that bring the community together. In her spare time she enjoys walking her dog, playing board games, and reading!
Brent Bruin
Treasurer and Finance Chair
Joining the team in May 2025, with over a decade of experience managing the Costume Department at the Center Theater Group in Los Angeles, I have developed extensive skills in nonprofit management and administrative operations. This experience has equipped me with the tools to foster creativity and collaboration in every project I undertake.
Alongside my husband, Steven Bruin, we are dedicated to making a positive difference in our community. We believe that art and creativity can inspire change, and we are excited to contribute our talents to meaningful initiatives.
Rhys Chambers
Member
Rhys Chambers joined the board in the spring of 2025. They graduated from the University of California, Riverside, with a major in Political Science and moved to North Carolina in 2022 to take a job with the Human Rights Campaign, currently as the Associate Director of State and Regional Campaigns. They are dedicated to building and deepening both their personal and North Star's ties with the LGBTQ+ community across Forsyth and the surrounding counties. They love reading, playing guitar, thrifting, and supporting local LGBTQ+ and allied businesses. With their work as the development committee chair, they look forward to bringing new events and programming that will not only help the community connect with one another, showcase their talents, but also contribute to creating a long-term and sustainable future for the center.
Tobi Sparks
Member
Tobias joined North Star Board of Directors in the fall of 2022. He holds a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice from his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. He previously was involved with The Coming Out Monologues before moving to Winston-Salem in 2021. In his spare time, he enjoys video games, writing, cooking, and binge-watching various docu-series.
Ocean-Eve Medal
Member
Ocean joined the board in Spring of 2026. They are a Fine Arts student, community advocate, and fundraiser dedicated to creating supportive and inclusive spaces for others. As a queer person, they are deeply passionate about uplifting marginalized communities through art, mutual aid, and direct community engagement. They wanted to join the board to be able to continue to do this on a larger scale!
Rachel Jensen
Volunteer Chair
Rachel Jensen joined the board in the spring of 2026. Rachel was born and raised in Kernersville and attended East Carolina University to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a multidisciplinary minor that focused on Law, Society, & Human Rights. She has professional experience in Human Resources and currently works as a Compensation Assistant for an international law firm headquartered in Winston-Salem.
The Winston-Salem LGBTQ+ community is near and dear to her heart, so she is thrilled to be a part of such an impactful organization. She’s passionate about promoting inclusion and equity within the community and is excited about the future of North Star. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs, coloring, and exercising.
Joe Meyer
Development Chair
Joe Meyer joined the board in 2026. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, he has called Winston-Salem home for several years and is passionate about helping build a stronger, more connected LGBTQ+ community throughout the Triad.
Joe brings nearly a decade of experience in nonprofit fundraising, volunteer engagement, and community partnership development. Through his work with mission-driven organizations, he has seen firsthand the importance of creating spaces where people feel supported, connected, and empowered to thrive.
His motivation for joining the board is to help expand opportunities for connection, advocacy, and community while supporting a sustainable future for the center. Outside of his professional and community involvement, Joe enjoys traveling, exploring local restaurants and coffee shops, and spending time with his husband, Ryan, and their two dogs, Ralph and Fancy.
Sean Roach
Member
Sean Roach was born and raised in Reidsville, North Carolina, now residing in Forsyth County where he works as a banking professional. He has been involved in community work since 2007 having worked with organizations such as AIDS Care Services, Triad Health Project, Greensboro Pride, Pride Winston Salem, inQlusion inc, and others.
Sean is a husband, author, drag queen, and proud member of the queer community. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2025), Sean earned his masters degree in sociology where he specialized in queer & drag cultural production. The intersection of his personal experience and academic interests in queer culture drives his passion for advocating for his community.
Kay Bunner
Member
Kay graduated from the University of Minnesota Crookston with a degree in communications, born and raised in Winston Salem they have always felt a drive to give back to the community and support the LGBTQ+ community. Currently they work in pediatric therapy as a registered behavioral technician. In their free time Kay writes, plays DND, and performs as a local drag queen. Kay hopes to support the community and the center with events that help build confidence in new hobbies, help clean up shared spaces and support new drag artists.