Get To Know LaWana

From Activist to Councilwoman

LaWana Slack-Mayfield’s journey began long before City Hall. In the early 1990s, she trained under June Rostan at the Southern Empowerment Project, learning the power of grassroots community organizing. By the early 2000s, she was training with Dr. Jamie Washington and Kathy Obear at the Social Justice Training Institute, focusing on full and equal justice for all. Later, she worked alongside legendary organizer Si Kahn at Grassroots Leadership, serving as Mecklenburg County Project Coordinator on campaigns to end for-profit prisons, push for immigration reform, and strengthen community organizing.

This foundation of activism has guided LaWana for more than 20 years. Whether serving on the Immigrant Solidarity Committee, the Charlotte Community Justice Coalition, or the Human Rights Campaign’s Executive Board, her work has always been rooted in equity, access, and justice.

Making History in Charlotte

In 2011, LaWana made history as the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to Charlotte City Council, serving District 3 for eight years. During that time, she helped bring long-awaited investments and opportunities to the community, including:

  • The creation of the Goodwill Opportunity Campus and the Charlotte Premium Outlets.
  • The Targeted Re-Hab Program, delivering much-needed housing rehab.
  • The Charlotte Douglas International Airport Job Fair and the first Youth Job Fair in partnership with Charlotte Premium Outlets.
  • New mixed-income housing projects and safer sidewalks on West Blvd — long overdue improvements for families.

Those weren’t just district wins. They were community wins that benefited the city as a whole. Today, as an At-Large Council Member, LaWana continues to fight for:

  • Stable, diverse-price-point housing
  • Smart access to upward mobility
  • Strong economic development
  • An end to racial and gender bias in city systems

Or as she puts it: “I don’t play the game of politics. I do the work of service.”

Deep Roots in Service

LaWana is a proud member of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, an active voice in the LGBTQ Democrats of Mecklenburg County, International Minority Coalition and has held leadership positions across dozens of boards and committees.

Her past service includes:

  • Current-Board-Member, NASCAR Hall of Fame
  • Past-President, Centralina Economic Development Committee
  • Past-Member, Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee/MLK
  • Former Member, Affordable Housing Coalition
  • Past-President, National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, Current-Member
  • Past-Board Member, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County, Arts & Science Council, and Democratic Municipal Officials

She continues to believe that service, equity, and love are the foundation of a Charlotte that is truly welcoming to all.

Recognized Achievements

LaWana’s leadership has been recognized locally and nationally with numerous awards for advocacy, civic engagement, and public service, including:

  • 2017 Charlotte Pride Champions of Pride Harvey Milk Award
  • 2016 PowerHouse Project Power of One Award
  • 2016 National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Queen City Metropolitan Chapter Candace Award for Advocacy in Civic Engagement
  • 2014 Charlotte Business Guild’s Torchbearer Award
  • 2013 Harvey B. Gantt Award from the Young Democrats of North Carolina
  • National League of Cities LGBTQ+LO Outstanding Local Leadership Award

These honors reflect not just titles, but years of consistent work to build equity, inclusion, and opportunity across Charlotte and beyond.