Tiawana Brown, Charlotte City Council District 3 candidate, answers our questions
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Voter Guide 2025: Read answers for Charlotte City Council District 3
West Charlotte’s District 3 features a Democratic primary contest between incumbent Tiawana Brown as well as challengers Montravias King, Joi Mayo and Warren F. Turner. King has suspended his campaign and endorsed Brown, but King will still appear on ballots. The election is complicated by the fact that Brown faces felony fraud charges, which could force her to resign or drop out of the race if convicted. Brown has not been convicted of any crime associated with her recent charges.
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Tiawana Brown, Charlotte City Council District 3 candidate, answers our questions
Warren Turner, Charlotte City Council District 3 candidate, answers our questions
Joi Mayo, Charlotte City Council District 3 candidate, answers our questions
Montravias King, Charlotte City Council District 3 candidate, answers our questions
To help inform voters in the Sept. 9, 2025, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Tiawana Brown
Email: tiawana.brown@gmail.com
Political party: Democratic Party
Which position are you running for on the Charlotte City Council? Charlotte City Council D3
Age: 54
Campaign website or social media page: www.tiawanabrown.com
Occupation: Charlotte City Council D3
Education: Current Senior at Johnson C. Smith Studying Criminology maintaining 4.0
Have you run for and/or held elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought and/or held)
Charlotte City Council D3- current position
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
Lifetime member of BPC, member of NAACP, African American Political Caucus, All of Us or None, and JustLeadership USA. I serve as a People’s Champion with Action NC and facilitator with the Justice Liberation Institute. My civic work reflects my lived experience and commitment to justice, equity, and uplifting marginalized voices.
What are the most important issues facing Charlotte, and how would you address them?
Housing costs and crime are top concerns. People can’t afford to live here, and communities are impacted by rising violence. As a member of the Housing, Safety & Community Committee, I’ve prioritized these issues—allocating funds to grassroots groups, championing the People’s Budget, and advocating for better pay for airport workers to build a safer, more affordable Charlotte.
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?
This was a closed-door matter that I’d prefer not to go into detail about. However, I will say that any matter involving taxpayer dollars should be transparent and disclosed to the public. Public trust depends on accountability, and transparency must be the standard in all financial decisions—especially those involving leadership compensation.
How will you earn public trust in the wake of public controversies that roiled City Council this spring?
I’ve always fought for truth and transparency—before, during, and beyond controversy. I earn trust by being accessible, standing with the people, and telling the truth even when it’s hard. I’ll continue to lead with integrity, listen with empathy, and ensure every decision reflects the needs of those I serve.
How will you work to improve transparency within city government?
Every day I go to work, I carry my constituents in mind and heart. This seat belongs to the people who elected me to serve. I will always remain accessible and committed to transparency by keeping the public informed, showing up in community spaces, and making sure decisions are made in the open and with accountability.
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 will continue to engage in tough conversations and make decisions based on the voices of the constituents I serve. Displacement support is not an option—I will not support anything that harms our communities. My vote on the sales tax referendum will reflect what’s best for District 3 and ensure residents are fully informed and protected.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party on local or state issues? Why?
There’s room for improvement in all aspects of life, and that includes within political parties. I may not always agree on every issue, but I believe in meeting the party where they are and working to resolve discrepancies. I stay focused on the people I serve, not partisan politics—my decisions are guided by what’s best for the community.
What separates you from your opponent(s)?
All my life I’ve had to fight—and I live as an open book with nothing to hide. I answer tough questions and lead with a voice that’s different because it’s real. That’s earned me the title “The People’s Champ.” I meet people where they are, resolve issues, and put people over politics—always. That’s what separates me from my opponents.
What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’m proud to share that as a nonprofit founder and CEO, I recently completed the Duke University Learning and Lifetime Education Certificate in Nonprofit Management (Intensive Track) in June 2025. This reflects my commitment to professional growth and strengthening the work I do for justice-impacted communities. Empowering others through service is one of my proudest accomplishment.
This story was originally published August 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
