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MEET JOI
Charlotte City Council
Joi Mayo, District 3
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HOMETOWN
Richmond, VA
EDUCATION
Elon University, BA
College of Charleston, MA
CHARLOTTE RESIDENT
Since 2012
EXPERIENCE
Founder & Board Chair
Transforming Nations Ford
Board Member
​Steele Creek Community Place (SCCP) 2024-Present
Public Relations Chair
CharMeck Community Relations Committee 2020-2025
Transportation Chair
Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leaders (CMCL) 2025-Present
President
Kings Creek Homeowners Association (HOA) 2015-2024
ACHIEVEMENTS
Emerging Leader Social Justice
WFAE EQUALibrium, 2025
Community Organizer of the Year
Queen City Nerve, 2024
Young Professional of the Year
Urban League of Central Carolinas, 2022
MEET JOI MAYO
Where I Am From
Joi Mayo was born and raised in Richmond, VA. Her mother, Stephanie Mayo, is a former public school educator, and her father, John Mayo, owned and operated the real estate brokerage JTM Realty. Joi moved to North Carolina to attend Elon University. After graduating, she moved to Charleston, SC, to earn an MA in History from the College of Charleston, emphasizing African American studies.
Background
Joi Mayo moved to Charlotte in 2012 to teach middle school math in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Like many educators, she feared homeownership was out of reach until she purchased a home in the Nations Ford/Arrowood Corridor through HUD’s Good Neighbor Next Door program, which helps teachers, first responders, and public servants buy houses in the communities they serve.
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Joi quickly became a trusted voice in her neighborhood. She joined the HOA board and was soon appointed president, leading efforts to improve communication, organize community events, and strengthen the quality of life. In 2019, she expanded her advocacy by serving as president of the Southwest Area Neighborhood Coalition (SWAN), bringing together seven neighborhoods to tackle shared safety, infrastructure, and opportunity challenges.
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As a teacher, Joi was known for her ability to meet the diverse learning needs of 100+ students through data-driven instruction and relationship-building. Her success earned her a district-wide training role, helping other teachers improve classroom outcomes. In 2022, Joi transitioned to nonprofit work, becoming the Community Engagement Manager for a Charlotte-based environmental non-profit focused on expanding programs in underserved Charlotte communities.
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She was named the Urban League of Central Carolina's Young Professional of the Year that same year.​
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My Work​
In 2024, Joi founded Transforming Nations Ford (TNF), a resident-led community development nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing and reimagining the Nations Ford/Arrowood Corridor.
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TNF brings together neighbors, churches, and small businesses to:​
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Lead beautification projects like murals, tree plantings, and cleanups
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Build bridges across cultures by supporting language access and shared advocacy
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Champion local investments in parks, recreation, transit, and public safety
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Organize resident-led committees to drive civic action and preserve neighborhood history​
Joi’s leadership through TNF reflects her core belief:
When residents lead, communities thrive.​
​Why I'm Running
Joi is running for Charlotte City Council District 3 because she knows firsthand what serving, organizing, and leading mean. She’s experienced the power of neighborhood unity and the frustration of being overlooked by city and county policies and investments. Her campaign is rooted in real experience and real results.
​Joi is committed to:​
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Expanding affordable housing through smart, community-informed planning
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Investing in youth and recreation to keep neighborhoods safe and thriving
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Building equitable infrastructure that reflects the voices and values of District 3 residents​
​From the classroom to the council, Joi is ready to fight for a brighter future, with residents, not just for them.