Mayor Vi Lyles made history in December 2017 when she took office in Charlotte, N.C. as the city’s first Black woman mayor. With her balanced leadership style, Mayor Lyles has been a breath of fresh air and inspiration to many in the Queen City.
Born Viola Alexander on September 28, she was raised in Columbia, S.C. by her father, a construction company owner, and her mother, who worked as a schoolteacher. She earned her political science bachelor’s degree from Queens University of Charlotte, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina.
Argentine 11-year-old’s C-section sparks abortion debate
Prior to her mayoral duties, Lyles served on the Charlotte City Council from 2013 until being elected mayor pro tem in 2015. She defeated incumbent Mayor Jennifer Roberts in the 2017 primaries, and vanquished her Republican opponent Kenny Smith, a city council member, in the general election. Along with being Charlotte’s first Black woman mayor, she is also the first mayor to serve in the role after previously being a city administrator.
