Who is Lawana Slack-Mayfield, 2023 Democratic candidate for Charlotte City Council at-large?
Name: LaWana Slack-Mayfield
Political party: Democrat
Which position are you running for on the Charlotte City Council?
City Council At-Large
Age as of Nov. 7, 2023: 53
Campaign website: votelawanamayfield.com
Occupation
Elected Official/Student
Education
Multiple certifications, A.A., working on A.A.S
Have you run for and/or held elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought and/or held)
Formerly served 8-years as the District 3 rep and currently as at-Large
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
Member of the NC International Minority Coalition, Board member of the LGBT Mecklenburg Democrats, Fmr President of NLC: LGBTQ+ Local Elected Officials, National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, Centralina Economic Development Commission, Fmr Board Member: NC State Human Relations Commission, Democratic Municipal Officials plus many more.
Development-related issues frequently come before the City Council. If elected, what would your approach be to those decisions?
I have continuously researched the impacts of our decisions through study and communication with residents & business community and will continue to do so.
What’s the minimum and the maximum commitment Charlotte should give to the Carolina Panthers for stadium renovations?
I do not have a minimum or maximum as the City is contractually committed to funding the stadium, yet I do NOT support allocating hospitality funds greater than what we have available.
What’s the best thing the City Council has done for Charlotte in the last 4 years? And what’s the worst thing?
Due to the impact of COVID I will go back a little further and say one of the “best”commitments is the “TLCbyCLT” housing rehab program, this is also our challenge as language I attempted to have added in regards to “You must maintain owner/occupancy for 3-5 years of the rehab property to help maintain stability in the neighborhoods.
CATS has faced turmoil in the last year. What are, in your view, the most significant issues facing the system, and what role should the City Council play in solving problems?
As the MTC manages CATS and Charlotte is a pass-through I believe we should start conversations with regional partners to expand funding and connections to Gaston County, Matthews, Pineville and potentially Fort Mill.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party on local or state issues? Why?
Yes. I have been disappointed that Council has moved to grouping consent items vs. discussing each item on its own merits and voting.
What separates you from your opponent(s)?
I have been pragmatic in my decision making in regards to the approval or denials of petitions based on community impact oppose to voting Yes for sake of voting Yes. I also believe it is not a “given” that any and all projects should be approved without taking into consideration the impact to residents.
What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?
I have multiple community accomplishments yet today I will choose returning to school to learn how to be a better advocate and increase my knowledge by working towards my Construction Management in Technology degree.
