CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Danielle Edwards is an award-winning Realtor by day and now a dancing star by night.

What You Need To Know

Realtor Danielle Edwards joins the Charlotte Ballet for the Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte Gala

Half of what she raises will go to the Canopy Housing Foundation to help people facing housing insecurity in Charlotte

The other half of proceeds will go to the Charlotte Ballet

Performing arts is in her blood. She grew up dancing and acting in children’s theatre, but foot pain and surgeries forced her to hang up her dancing shoes 20-plus years ago.

When the Charlotte Ballet announced this year’s “Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte Gala,” Edwards jumped on it.

Half of the proceeds she raises will go to the Canopy Housing Foundation to help the 3,000 people facing housing insecurity in Charlotte.

Edwards says the housing market isn’t just tough for unhoused people, but for renters, homeowners and renters looking to become homeowners.

“As a Realtor I see it on an everyday basis, just with regular first-time homebuyers, and the fact that the city has become unaffordable,” she said.

According Canopy Realtor Association, Charlotte’s median sales price rose more than 7% this year — climbing to $375,000 in January.

Edwards is fighting through the pain with twists and twirls, to hopefully turn someone’s life around in the Queen City.

“If I can just make a small dent and a small difference to bring awareness and maybe help change a few lives, then I think that’s a win,” she said.

As of Friday, Edwards has raised just over $75,000. You can donate until performance night — March 4. To vote for her, visit gala.charlotteballet.org