2023 Candidate Questionnaire – City of Charlotte Council
Ahead of Election Day 2023, candidates running for election for Charlotte Mayor and City Council were provided a five-question survey to complete and share their position on arts and culture. Below are the verbatim responses we received, grouped by question.
Steven J. DiFiore II: While in high-school I was involved in the school’s drama club and wind ensemble. I was incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of a performing arts program and the lessons and experience of that time are something I cherish to this day. When I moved to North Carolina one of the first things I did was seek out community arts groups to be a part of. I found a new community to be a part of through the local arts crowd. Most of my friends to this day are folks I met through the arts.
LaWana Slack-Mayfield: I am a graduate of CPCC Drama program, I have performed locally on stage, at spoken word events, and in a locally written and directed soap opera which all helped me to become a better communicator and engage with the community.
Dr. Victoria Watlington: Despite growing up in several different communities as a military child, the arts helped each new place feel like home, whether dancing in the recital in South Carolina’s historic Abbeville Opera House or celebrating Fasching in Bavaria. Being immersed in the people, places, and traditions of the local community fostered connections that turned my new neighbors into friends, as the we found the human experience, however varied, is universal. My experience as an engineer equipped me to be an effective community leader, which ultimately led to elected office. Applying the scientific method to understand my neighbors’ issues and create solutions helped solve every day problems in our community, which brought us closer together.
James H. Bowers: Our community is diverse and when a leader hopes to become a servant for the people, he must understand the hopes and aspirations of those whom they serve. History, science and culture are all parts of the processes which affects everyone. Incorporating these factual and historical tenants helped me in deciding to run for City Council.
Steven J. DiFiore II: As mentioned in the answer above, I was very fortunate as a teenage to have been exposed to the arts in high-school. Specifically, as part of the high-school Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Drama Club I had the pleasure of learning many compositions and acting in several musicals. I want all of our youth to have that same opportunity. While schools are the purview of County Government, I believe there is a roll the city can play in coordinating access to programs, both private and public, to ensure our youth have every opportunity to be a part of an artistic program or be able to attend performances on a regular basis as part of their education.
LaWana Slack-Mayfield: I have previously and will continue to support local art events and promote them on my social media to engage the community. I also will continue to advocate for the ARTS in my role as an elected official.
Dr. Victoria Watlington: I truly believe that arts and culture is the soul of the city. A thriving arts and culture scene helps give the city an identity, and when we know who we are, we are empowered to choose where we are going. Therefore, I intend to advocate for increased investment in an arts and culture ecosystem that recognizes arts and culture as an economic engine. I intend to continue to attend cultural events programs I love like the Festival of India and A Vibe Called Fresh. This city’s economic success—and our quality of life—is directly tied to our commitment to arts and culture. Therefore, I will continue to work with stakeholders on policy initiatives to ensure the voice of our arts and culture community is heard.
James H. Bowers: It is not necessary to only provide visuals, but more importantly, to provide context. Our history, and how we got here are absolutely essential so that when we avail ourselves for leadership, we don’t forget the lessons of the past. Whenever I am able I will support ASC as they provide clear and relevant advocacy which reaches, and is beneficial for all peoples.
Steven J. DiFiore II: In 2008, during the financial crisis, my family and I were hit pretty hard by the recession and it took years for us to get back to what felt like a normal baseline. Getting back on my feet was made even harder when I lost my vehicle and found the limited public transit options available at the time unsuitable to my employment needs. The last thing on my mind when I didn’t know how I was going to pay my next bill were concerts, plays, or museums. Those bad times are behind me now, but I never forgot the experience. Too many of our fellow citizens are feeling the sting of financial woe currently, with work disruptions and the squeeze of inflation. Making it easier for Charlotteans to climb the economic ladder and achieve their American dream is my top priority. A rising tide lifts all boats and when folks in our communities aren’t worried about making ends meet, they will have more resources to spend on recreation.
LaWana Slack-Mayfield: Although it takes 6 votes on Council and I have colleagues who have not supported the independent funding of ASC, I will continue to advocate for access to workspace, housing, and access for our local artists.
Dr. Victoria Watlington: As I have done over the last four years, I will continue to advocate for and support arts and culture programs that provide access to residents of all backgrounds. I continually connect with arts and culture organizations like the Charlotte Symphony to help identify opportunities to brings the arts into communities, as well as showcase the incredible talent that we are fortunate to have home-grown.
James H. Bowers: If I am elected, I will prevail upon myself to be open to the manifold possibilities which work together for the good of all.
Steven J. DiFiore II: The COVID-19 lock-down mandates had a hugely negative impact on all sectors of our economy. Such an unprecedented and ill advised policy has hurt many. Our own government went about the business of determining for themselves who was and wasn’t essential. I don’t believe for a moment that our elected officials possess the intellect or wisdom to impose that kind of choice on our communities. As your local representative I will fight to make sure that your right to earn a living is never stolen from you by your own government.
LaWana Slack-Mayfield: I need to hear more from our artist community on their needs. I attended multiple community meetings for the artists yet I did not hear specific asks that would help me to lobby my colleagues on legislative policy changes.
Dr. Victoria Watlington: To start, I welcome the insight and experience of creative workers as I form my perspective in policy conversations, and am committed to supporting creative workers in our community. Sometimes, this requires using my voice to highlight inequities and offer ideas—other times it requires using my vote to direct dollars to organizations and initiatives that pursue this purpose. I intend to continue leveraging both.
James H. Bowers: As an elected official I will constantly be looking at ways to incorporate our communities resources, financially and human, to help provide bonds and relationships that build long-term connections. Time, relationship and consensus are unequivocally important in order to making these things sustainable.
Steven J. DiFiore II: The arts, science, and history are important facets of our society and the more robust the institutions that promote those facets are, the healthier our communities will be overall. There are many such programs, like the Blumenthal’s many student programs and scholarships, to name just one example in Charlotte. The City of Charlotte has a roll to play in helping to coordinate cooperation across the city, county, and various organizations in the effort to promote Arts & Culture. While public funding and grants have always been a primary means of municipal involvement, I’m not convinced it ought to be the only way. There is a hunger for greater investment in Arts & Culture in Charlotte and I’m interested in finding means, other than just more taxpayer spending, to help fulfill that community need.
LaWana Slack-Mayfield: I previously and will continue to be vocal in the support of our local artists and support appropriate funding to keep our artists in Charlotte.
Dr. Victoria Watlington: Recognizing the critical role that arts and culture plays in fortifying our city’s economic stability, I will continue to support the public funding of arts, science, and history programs.
James H. Bowers: If elected, any program which strengthens the bonds of (all) the community, city and county; I will fully support.
ASC did not receive survey responses from the candidates below. (Candidates with an asterisk did not have campaign contact information available from the Board of Elections or were unable to be reached at the phone number or email address provided.)
Mayor, City of Charlotte
Vi Lyles
Lucille Puckett
Rob Yates
Misun Kim
Charlotte City Council At-Large
Dimple Ajmera
Ben Copeland
Charlene Henderson El
James (Smuggie) Mitchell, Jr.
Charlotte City Council District 1
Dante Anderson
Charlotte City Council District 2
Malcolm Graham
Gary Linn Young II
Charlotte City Council District 3
Tiawana Deling Brown
Melinda Lilly
Warren F. Turner
Charlotte City Council District 4
Renee Perkins Johnson
Wil Russell
Olivia Scott
Charlotte City Council District 5
Curtis M. Hayes, Jr.
Marjorie Molina
Vinroy Reid
Charlotte City Council District 6
Stephanie Hand*
Tariq Scott Bokhari
Charlotte City Council District 7
Ed Driggs