Vi Lyles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vi Lyles
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 59th Mayor of Charlotte | |
| Assumed office December 4, 2017 |
|
| Preceded by | Jennifer Roberts |
| Mayor pro tempore of Charlotte | |
| In office December 2015 – December 4, 2017 |
|
| Preceded by | Michael Barnes |
| Succeeded by | Julie Eiselt |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Viola Alexander
September 28, 1952 Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
John Lyles
(m. 1996; died 2013) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Queens University (BA) University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (MPA) |
Viola Alexander Lyles (born September 28, 1952) is an American politician. She has been the 59th mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, since 2017. Mayor Lyles is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming mayor, she served on the Charlotte City Council.
About Vi Lyles
Early Life and Education
Vi Lyles grew up in Columbia, South Carolina. Her father owned a construction business, and her mother was a teacher. She studied political science at Queens University of Charlotte. Later, she earned a master's degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Family Life
Vi Lyles was married to Wayne Alexander for 12 years. He was a state attorney who later started his own law practice. He passed away in 1987. Later, Lyles married John Lyles, who passed away in 2013. She has two children from her first marriage: Kwame Alexander and Aisha Alexander-Young. Her daughter, Aisha, is known for her work in helping others and for her community efforts.
Vi Lyles' Career in Public Service
Working for Charlotte City
Before becoming an elected official, Vi Lyles worked for the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. She was a budget analyst, then the budget director, and later an assistant city manager. This means she helped manage the city's money and operations. After that, she worked as a consulting director for different groups. She also helped organize the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.
Serving on the City Council
In 2013, Vi Lyles was elected to the Charlotte City Council. This council helps make decisions for the city. In 2015, her fellow council members chose her to be mayor pro-tem. This role means she could act as mayor if the mayor was not available.
After a sad event in 2016, she suggested a plan to help bring people together in the city. Parts of her plan were approved. In 2016, she also supported a rule to protect LGBTQ people from unfair treatment.
Becoming Mayor of Charlotte
Vi Lyles decided to run for mayor of Charlotte in the 2017 election. She won the first election within her party, beating the mayor at that time, Jennifer Roberts.
In the main election, Lyles ran against Kenny Smith, a Republican city council member. She won with 72,073 votes, which was about 59% of all votes. This made her the first African-American woman to be mayor of Charlotte. She was also the first person who used to work as a city administrator to become mayor.
Winning Re-election
In 2019, Mayor Lyles ran for a second term. She won the election again, getting about 77% of the votes. She was challenged by David Michael Rice.
She ran for mayor again in 2022. She won her third term as mayor, receiving about 68% of the votes. Her challenger was Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao.
Support from Groups
During her 2017 mayoral election, many groups supported Vi Lyles. These included local and national organizations. Some of them were the Black Political Caucus, the Charlotte Firefighters Association, and the Human Rights Campaign. Even The Charlotte Observer newspaper supported her.
How Charlotte's Government Works
Charlotte has a professional city manager who handles the city's daily tasks. The mayor and four of the eleven city council members are elected by everyone in the city. The other seven council members are elected by people living in specific areas of the city.
Mayor Lyles' Key Policies
Managing the City Budget
Mayor Lyles helps decide how the city's money is spent. For example, in 2023, a large part of the city's budget went to the Police Department. Other important areas included the Fire Department, Solid Waste Services, and Transportation.
Growing Charlotte's Economy
When Mayor Lyles first took office, many people in Charlotte were looking for jobs. She helped bring more than 27,000 new jobs to the city. Big companies like Honeywell, Lowes, and Microsoft chose Charlotte for their growth. Local businesses also grew, creating even more job chances. This helped lower the number of people without jobs in Charlotte.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
In 2018, Mayor Lyles worked to expand the Housing Trust Fund. This fund helps build homes for people who have lower incomes. It makes sure more people can find affordable places to live in the city.
Promoting Race Equity
In November 2021, Mayor Lyles started the Racial Equity Initiative. This project aims to invest $250 million to create more fairness and opportunities for everyone. The money helps build a new center for digital learning. It also supports neighborhoods and helps Johnson C. Smith University grow. The initiative also encourages companies to support Black leaders and leaders of color.
Improving Transportation
Charlotte is a fast-growing city. Mayor Lyles has focused on improving how people get around. She helped open a new 19-mile light rail line. This train system helps reduce traffic and makes it easier for people to travel across the city. She also started a "Vision Zero" plan. This plan aims to make roads safer and reduce traffic accidents.
See also
- List of mayors of the 50 largest cities in the United States
