Joi Mayo, Charlotte City Council District 3 candidate, answers our questions
Name: Joi Mayo
Email: info@joiforcharlotte.org
Political party: Democratic
Which position are you running for on the Charlotte City Council? District 3
Birth date: 12/06/1985
Campaign website or social media page: www.joiforcharlotte.com
Occupation: Community Engagement Manager
Education: Masters of Arts- African American History
Have you run for and/or held elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought and/or held)
No
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
Former President of the Kings Creek HOA & the Southwest Area Neighborhood Coalition, former Chair of the Public Relations Committee of the Community Relations Committee, and Founder and Board Chair of Transforming Nations Ford. Led efforts for transit access, a regional rec center, and mural projects. As the Community Engagement Manager for a local environmental nonprofit, I lead equity-focused greening efforts. Former teacher and Faculty Advisory Council President at Southwest Middle.
What are the most important issues facing Charlotte, and how would you address them?
Charlotte's future hinges on whether we prioritize equity over unchecked growth. In District 3, we face the triple challenge of rising housing costs, underfunded transit, and disinvestment in youth. I will: Protect renters and low-income homeowners from displacement by supporting land trusts, tenant protections, and expanded Housing Trust Fund investments. Improve transit access by pushing for sidewalks, better bus service, and anti-displacement policies tied to rail expansion. Champion youth investment through a regional recreation center, after-school programs, and job training pipelines that serve all parts of our community. We must grow with purpose, ensuring long-time residents benefit from investment, not get priced out by it.
The city of Charlotte provided CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings with more than $305,000 in a deal reached during a private meeting – details of which were not available until news outlets started reporting on the issue. Did the city handle this correctly based on what the public knows about the situation? Why or why not?
When public dollars are used, residents deserve clear communication and transparency. I believe the council must set and follow public standards for large financial decisions. As a member, I would advocate for timely public engagement and regular reporting, especially on budget items related to leadership compensation, policing, and city contracts.
How will you earn public trust in the wake of public controversies that roiled City Council this spring?
Trust is earned through transparency, consistency, accessibility, and accountability. I've shown that as an HOA president, nonprofit leader, and city-appointed chair. I believe in listening first, leading with integrity, and ensuring residents feel heard -not sidelined. On Council, I'll host regular office hours, publish updates, and ensure residents know where I stand and how they can be part of the process.
How will you work to improve transparency within city government?
Transparency is about both access and timing. I'll push for: Early community input on major projects, not just feedback after decisions are made. Budget transparency, especially around police, housing, and development deals. Increased use of accessible formats like translated materials, printed documents in libraries, and mobile outreach. We've seen transparency work during the 2040 Plan process, which included public copies in libraries and virtual office hours. That model should be expanded to all major policy rollouts.
The General Assembly has given Mecklenburg County permission to put a referendum on the ballot to raise the county's sales tax to fund road, rail and bus projects. Will you vote in favor of the referendum? Why or why not?
I support robust transit funding, but only if it includes strong anti-displacement protections and community benefit guarantees, including small business access to contracts. This means: Land banking near rail and bus routes to keep housing affordable. Job training and apprenticeships for local residents. Support for small, minority-owned businesses along transit corridors. Stay-in-place tools for seniors and longtime homeowners. Transit should connect residents to opportunity, not displace them from it. Without these safeguards, I can't support a plan that may repeat the gentrification patterns we've already seen in South End, Hidden Valley, and beyond.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party on local or state issues? Why?
I've pushed for stronger action on housing, contractor wages, and environmental justice. I believe we should move faster to protect tenants, ensure all city-funded contractors pay living wages, and prioritize clean air and green space in underserved areas. I'll always advocate for bold, resident-first solutions, even when it means pushing my party.
What separates you from your opponent(s)?
I bring grassroots experience, not political ambition. I've walked alongside residents for years, helping them organize cleanups, advocate for parks, and push for change in forgotten corridors. From launching a resident-led nonprofit to shaping citywide policy as a committee chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee, I know how to move from talk to action. My leadership is rooted in trust, results, and community, not career politics.
What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?
Founding and serving as the Board Chair of Transforming Nations Ford is my proudest accomplishment. It's more than a nonprofit, it's a proof point. Residents in the Nations Ford/Arrowood corridor have come together to demand better transit, public art, youth investment, and community safety. We've secured funding, built multi-generational & multi-ethnic partnerships, and shown what's possible when communities lead. That's the kind of energy I'll bring to City Council.
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