Rocket City Drywall & Supply, Inc.
Rocket City Drywall & Supply, Inc., located in Huntsville, Alabama was founded in 1985 by Charles E. Stanley. They currently have three generations supporting their business and are the only remaining locally owned and operated drywall supplier in their market.
Rocket City is always looking to find ways to support their local community, however with limited funds they had to think outside of the box. Alana Hodde Parker, Owner & CEO, was determined to find a way. In 2015, Alana was elected onto the Economic Development Board of Cornerstone Initiative, a local non-profit focused on advocacy for the impoverished population of Westside Huntsville, AL.
This role has allowed Alana to participate in empowering others through collaboration for education, employment and enrichment based on justice, equality, indigenous leadership and mutual respect. More specifically, Alana has been a guest speaker at their Jobs4Life Program (hosted in the public housing sector of their community), aiding in interview training, and assisting with scholarship opportunities.
Alana’s efforts don’t stop there; she is also working alongside Cornerstone to create a Business Owner’s Association, with the intention to create a network providing employment opportunities and advocacy against gentrification in their community. Alana also has her eye to the future with Cornerstone to bring “Girls on the Run” (501(c)) that provides mentorship, a 10-12 week running training program for girls in 3rd thru 8th grade and wraps up the program with the completion of a 5k goal race.
Rocket City has also provided volunteer time and materials to Pastor John Lavender, of Tanzania Missions & Development. Most recently they have donated to The BRIC (Building Relationships In Community), a teen destination hang-out with mentorship opportunities. The materials and time donated were used to help create the first permanent location of this 501(c); in the past they have only been able to provide “pop-up” concerts and events for teenagers in their community. This new permanent structure will offer local teens a safe-place, 7 days a week. The facility will provide a gaming center, concert stage, and coffee shop.
With having limited funds to help support their community, they certainly found ways to make a difference!