My Background
A native of Charleston, SC, I moved to Charlotte after graduating from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Having obtained a masters from Winthrop University, I then began teaching high school social studies at a drop-out prevention program in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System, an experience that began a career in serving the most vulnerable.
Eventually, I was lucky enough to stay at home and raise my two boys, now 22 and 24. But I remained busy in the community, helping open and leading an after-school program for Sedgefield Middle School students in the Brookhill neighborhood. I also worked as a campaign manager and volunteered for numerous campaigns and put my love of photography to good work by publishing photos in Our State and other magazines.
In 2017, I joined the board of Charlotte Women’s March (now Charlotte Women’s Movement) and co-chaired its Racial Equity Group. I proudly served as CWM’s co-president, helping advocate for equity for all women. I also served on the board of Cops and Barbers and have previously served on the board of Lillian’s List. Currently, I serve on the board of Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and the Katie Blessing Center.
I have been an active member of Avondale Presbyterian Church for over 20 years, where I am an elder and member of the stewardship team.
I have two grown sons, Jay and Ben, both of whom attended CMS. I currently live in Dilworth with our two dogs, Twain and Stella.
Why I’m Running for
Re-Election
I am a proud member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, having been first elected in November 2020. I believe that we must invest in our community and its people. I want to continue to be a part of leading us into the future.
As a former teacher at a high school that focused on drop-out prevention and as the director of an after-school program for middle school students from the Brookhill neighborhood, I understand the importance of a quality education. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools have much to be proud of. It’s why both my two sons went to CMS schools. But it needs more work – and more funding from the state and even the county – if we want to prepare all our children for college and the workforce and to secure a brighter tomorrow.
I’m lucky enough to have two of the busiest and best parks in the county— Park Road Park and Freedom Park. Visit on a Saturday or Sunday and you’ll see thousands of families enjoying the soccer and baseball fields, walking trails, and jungle gyms. Being outside, breathing fresh air, and getting exercise are essential for our well-being. Unfortunately, however, not everyone in the county has access to green space, especially in low income neighborhoods. Community recreation centers, youth sports leagues, and outdoor educational opportunities can serve as lifelines for youth. We need to continue to invest in our wonderful greenway system, which, like an excellent school system, can help draw new businesses to the area.
Another reason I’m running is the need for better mental health services. Whenever I’ve spoken at public events about how my family once needed support, people have come up afterwards and told similar stories. Many of them seem embarrassed while others said they couldn’t find the help they needed for their children. This must be fixed. A child’s mental health is just as important as his or her physical health.
Like you, I love our community and its incredible citizens. As the District 5 Commissioner, I want to keep Mecklenburg County moving forward, not backward. I want to use my experience as a leader to bridge divides and make sure all our neighbors grow and thrive.
The County Commission
Mecklenburg County has a nine-member Board of County Commissioners. It is the governing body for our county. The board is made up of six commissioners elected by district, and three at-large commissioners who represent the membership of the entire county.
Officially, the board's major responsibilities include adopting the annual county budget, setting the county property tax rate, and assessing and establishing priorities on the many community needs, especially those related to health, education, welfare, mental health, and the environment. The board also makes appointments to citizen advisory committees.
Not written on the government website, however, is what our responsibilities also include: advocating for our constituents; developing relationships with the leadership of various organizations and agencies to better understand where tax-payer money is going; show up to the many events in which the county has a stake ; and above all, listen to the concerns of the residents of Mecklenburg County.
