Tiawana Deling Brown
Tiawana Deling Brown (Democratic Party) (also known as Tia) is a member of the Charlotte City Council in North Carolina, representing District 3. She assumed office on December 4, 2023. Her current term ends on December 1, 2025.
Deling Brown (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the Charlotte City Council to represent District 3 in North Carolina. She is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on September 9, 2025.[source]
Deling Brown completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Tiawana Deling Brown was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. She graduated from Myers Park High School and attended Johnson C. Smith University. Her career experience includes working as a business owner.[1]
Brown has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]
- Black Political Caucus
- NAACP
- Urban League
- National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls
- JLUSA
- African American Political Caucus
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Charlotte, North Carolina (2025)
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
The primary will occur on September 9, 2025. The general election will occur on November 4, 2025. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.
General election for Charlotte City Council District 3
James H. Bowers is running in the general election for Charlotte City Council District 3 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
 | James H. Bowers (R) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 3
Incumbent Tiawana Deling Brown, Montravias King, Joi Mayo, and Warren F. Turner are running in the Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 3 on September 9, 2025.
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. James H. Bowers advanced from the Republican primary for Charlotte City Council District 3.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2023
See also: City elections in Charlotte, North Carolina (2023)
General election
General election for Charlotte City Council District 3
Tiawana Deling Brown defeated James H. Bowers in the general election for Charlotte City Council District 3 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Tiawana Deling Brown (D) | 78.5 | 6,264 |
| James H. Bowers (R) | 21.2 | 1,690 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 21 | ||
| Total votes: 7,975 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 3
Tiawana Deling Brown defeated Warren F. Turner and Melinda Lilly in the Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 3 on September 12, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tiawana Deling Brown | 60.1 | 1,812 |
 | Warren F. Turner | 29.5 | 891 | |
| Melinda Lilly | 10.4 | 314 | ||
| Total votes: 3,017 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. James H. Bowers advanced from the Republican primary for Charlotte City Council District 3.
Endorsements
To view Deling Brown's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Deling Brown in this election.
2022
See also: City elections in Charlotte, North Carolina (2022)
General election
General election for Charlotte City Council District 3
Incumbent Victoria Watlington defeated James H. Bowers in the general election for Charlotte City Council District 3 on July 26, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Victoria Watlington (D) | 77.2 | 5,008 |
| James H. Bowers (R) | 22.7 | 1,471 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 10 | ||
| Total votes: 6,489 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 3
Incumbent Victoria Watlington defeated Tiawana Deling Brown in the Democratic primary for Charlotte City Council District 3 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Victoria Watlington | 53.6 | 3,489 |
| Tiawana Deling Brown | 46.4 | 3,015 | |
| Total votes: 6,504 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. James H. Bowers advanced from the Republican primary for Charlotte City Council District 3.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Tiawana Deling Brown completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Deling Brown's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
Guided by her humble beginnings and deep faith, Tiawana has been a champion for the people—fighting for unions, small businesses, justice-impacted individuals, and marginalized communities. Her bold leadership has earned her the title “The People’s Champ.”
She is the proud mother of two daughters, Antoinette and Tijema, and a new grandmother to Byron B. Sadler, Jr., born January 2024. Tiawana has received numerous local and national recognitions, including the 2025 Change Maker Award from She Built This City, and completed a Nonprofit Management Certification (Intensive Track) from Duke University in 2025.
She is a small business owner, founder and CEO of a nonprofit, and currently a full-time student at Johnson C. Smith University, holding a 4.0 GPA. Tiawana loves church, gospel music, dancing, traveling, and spending time with her family. She often says, “This seat belongs to the people,” and “A vote for me is a vote for you.”- 1. People Over Politics—Always I don’t just hold a seat on City Council—I use it to advocate for the people who placed their trust in me. I’ve earned the name The People’s Champion because I lead with lived experience, truth, and boldness. Every decision I make is rooted in what’s best for working families, not political gain. I show up, speak out, and stand firm. From fighting for affordable housing to protecting our most vulnerable neighbors, I stay focused on delivering results that matter. I don’t follow trends—I follow the needs of my community. That’s what it means to put people over politics, and it’s exactly what I’ll continue to do.
- 2. A Voice That Can’t Be Bought or Silenced As the first justice-impacted person to serve on Charlotte City Council, I bring a powerful, lived perspective to City Hall. I’ve faced adversity and emerged with a stronger voice—a voice rooted in truth, fairness, and resilience. I use my seat to lift up those often ignored by politics. I’m not afraid of tough conversations or uncomfortable truths. I stay grounded in my community and accountable to those I serve. I don’t answer to political pressure—I answer to the people. That’s why my voice has remained unwavering and unapologetically different. It’s real, it’s bold, and it belongs to the people.
- 3. Real Leadership. Real Results. I don’t just talk about change—I live it and deliver it. I’ve helped secure funding for grassroots groups, stood with airport workers, and fought for affordable housing. In 2025, I completed Duke’s Nonprofit Management Certification, received the Change Maker Award from She Built This City, and maintained a 4.0 GPA at Johnson C. Smith University—all while serving my district. I’m a nonprofit CEO, small business owner, and mother who leads with purpose. My leadership is grounded in lived experience and community service. These results speak for themselves—and they reflect the kind of leadership Charlotte needs.
City Council plays a critical role in shaping how state and federal policies are implemented locally. From land use and housing ordinances to public safety, transit, and budget decisions, we impact people’s daily lives in tangible ways. What makes this role so important is not just the authority it carries, but the trust it requires. We are the frontline of democracy, where people come not just to be heard, but to be helped.
Because of her example, my sister and I both became successful, purpose-driven women. Her unwavering faith in us—when we didn’t always have faith in ourselves—is the foundation of everything I do. She taught us that no dream is too big, no setback is final, and no title defines your worth.
My leadership is deeply rooted in lived experience, but at the center of that experience is my mother’s example—a quiet, powerful force who showed us how to lead with heart, sacrifice with purpose, and stand tall in who we are.
I never imagined I would one day be in City Hall. It wasn’t on my radar. Politics wasn’t something I saw myself stepping into—but my community saw something in me before I saw it in myself. They encouraged me, pushed me, and walked with me on this journey. They reminded me that real leadership doesn't always come from the top—it rises up from the people, from the neighborhoods, from the struggle.
Alexander’s work lays bare the injustices of the criminal legal system, the racial and economic inequities baked into policy, and the ongoing struggle for true second chances in America. It affirms what I’ve lived: that redemption is possible, that impacted voices must be heard, and that real change comes when we challenge systems with both courage and compassion.
Residents deserve leaders who show up, tell the truth, and make decisions rooted in community needs—not political convenience. My leadership is grounded in compassion, justice, and service, and I never forget that the seat I hold belongs to the people who trusted me to represent them.
What I bring, you can’t learn in a textbook or classroom. You either have it—or you don’t. I bring heart, hustle, truth, and a deep connection to the people I serve. I didn’t enter this office looking to climb a political ladder. I was called to serve by the very community that raised me—and that’s exactly who I fight for every day.
I possess the authenticity and resilience of someone who’s been through struggle, overcome barriers, and turned pain into purpose. I know how to navigate complex systems not just from the outside, but now from within—while still remaining grounded in the needs of the people who often get overlooked.
I’m accessible, accountable, and unafraid to speak up when something isn’t right. I’ve pushed for funding to go to grassroots organizations. I’ve stood with airport workers, supported the People’s Budget, and fought displacement in our most vulnerable neighborhoods. And I do it all while listening first, serving second, and never losing sight of who I represent.
We are entrusted to manage budgets, pass ordinances, and shape the future of our city. That means ensuring every voice—especially those historically unheard—is considered in decisions about housing, public safety, economic development, and transportation. But policy alone isn’t enough. We must also build trust, increase transparency, and hold ourselves accountable to the people who elected us.
All my life I have had to fight—and I’m still fighting now. Fighting to be seen, to be heard, and to make room at the table for those who’ve been left out for far too long. I fight for my community, for redemption, for fairness, and for change that actually reaches the people who need it most.
I want my legacy to reflect that leadership doesn’t have to look one way. That it can come from someone who was raised in Southside Homes, someone who worked at McDonald’s at 15, someone who overcame generational poverty and returned to her community not just to survive—but to serve.
I want to be remembered as the leader who changed the narrative—not just by holding a seat, but by using it to uplift others. I want people to say, “She showed up. She listened. She told the truth. She fought for us even when it wasn’t popular.” I want to leave behind a path for others—especially justice-impacted people, women, and young people from marginalized communities—to know that they too belong in rooms of power.
As a young Black woman, that moment stirred something deep in me. It opened my eyes not only to systemic racism, but also to the need for accountability, truth-telling, and bold leadership. Watching the aftermath—the trial, the acquittals, and the uprisings—made me realize that silence is never an option. It was a defining moment in my life, and it planted the seeds of advocacy that would grow with me.
That job taught me responsibility, how to be part of a team, and the importance of showing up and doing my best—no matter how big or small the task. It was there, behind the counter, that I learned how to treat people with respect and carry myself with pride.
Reading her story reminded me that we are not our worst mistakes. We are not defined by our records—we are defined by our resilience. Ms. Burton built a movement by lifting up women returning home from incarceration, offering housing, healing, and hope. She didn’t wait for permission to lead—she led because she had no choice. That kind of leadership speaks directly to my heart.
Like Susan, I know what it’s like to return home to a world that isn’t always welcoming. I know what it’s like to be overlooked, underestimated, and told you don’t belong. And like her, I decided to change the narrative—not just for myself, but for others like me. That book gave me strength at a time I needed it most, and continues to inspire me as I walk this journey of service, redemption, and justice.
If I had superhero powers, my mission would be to free all people from being unsheltered, unsafe, and hungry. I would use my power to create a world where everyone—regardless of their past or their circumstances—has the opportunity to not just survive, but thrive.
I’d tear down barriers that keep people trapped in poverty, injustice, and fear. I’d ensure every child has a safe home, every elder has dignity, and every working person has access to a living wage and real opportunity. No one would be left behind.
“You don’t know the things that I’ve come through…” — that lyric stays with me because so often, people see the title but don’t know the testimony. That song reminds me of how far I’ve come, how much I’ve survived, and why I fight for others who are still in the struggle. It’s not just a song stuck in my head—it’s a reminder of my purpose.
Even now, as an elected official serving on Charlotte City Council, I still face that struggle. Justice-impacted people are often not given the same opportunities. We’re not treated as equals. We’re not welcomed as colleagues. We’re treated as if we are less than—even when we’re in the same room, holding the same title, and doing the same work.
That has been one of the most painful and personal battles for me—to have earned a seat at the table and still be made to feel like I don’t belong there. I’ve had to navigate judgment, exclusion, and unfair treatment while continuing to do the work with grace, strength, and unwavering purpose.
But I use that struggle as fuel. I use it as a reminder that I’m not just sitting in this seat for me—I’m sitting here for every person who’s ever been counted out, dismissed, or denied a second chance. I show up to remind people that your past doesn’t erase your value, and that justice-impacted leaders deserve to be seen, heard, and respected just like anyone else.
Another lesser-known responsibility is our power to appoint members to key boards and commissions. These groups make decisions on zoning, transportation, and the arts—impacting how our city grows and who benefits. These appointments shape Charlotte's future, and I’ve always pushed for equitable, diverse representation in these roles.
We also have a say in contracts, development incentives, and land use planning, which directly impact displacement, gentrification, and community preservation. This seat carries the power to protect neighborhoods—or transform them without input.
What I bring to the table is real-world experience, not just policy knowledge. I know what it’s like to be directly impacted by the decisions made in City Hall. That perspective allows me to ask the questions others don’t think to ask, to fight for those who are often ignored, and to lead with heart, not just politics.
Lived experience gives leaders the ability to understand what policies feel like on the ground. It brings a level of empathy and urgency that can’t be taught in a textbook. I know what it’s like to navigate systems not built for people like me—and that insight drives me to make those systems more just and inclusive for others.
Strong communication, active listening, and the ability to collaborate across differences are essential. But more than anything, elected officials must be accessible, grounded in community, and willing to stand firm in the face of pressure.
One of the ways I honor that responsibility is by hosting in-person meetings in my office with constituents, community leaders, and even developers—something that rarely happens elsewhere in government. I believe in looking people in the eye, having honest dialogue, and ensuring every voice is heard.
This role also carries significant decision-making power over housing, safety, infrastructure, economic growth, and transportation. We shape local ordinances, approve budgets, and make appointments that affect everything from zoning to public art.
SEIU
North Carolina State AFL‑CIO
Metrolina Unions
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden
A host of local community and business leaders
Their support reflects shared values around workers’ rights, social justice, public safety, and economic opportunity. You can find the full list of endorsements on my website: www.tiawana.brown.
Transparency builds public trust, and trust is the foundation of effective leadership. I’ve been vocal when processes lack clarity and I’ve challenged decisions made behind closed doors. Whether it's about budget allocations, development deals, or department spending, I believe in open communication, public input, and clear reporting.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2023
Tiawana Deling Brown completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Deling Brown's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
- Safer Communities - Reimagined communities/ people and community led programs to reduce crime. Programs to involve children to keep them off the streets & engaging them in positive programs
- True Affordable Housing- adding more funding to the 50 million that is already allocated in the current budget.
- Workforce Development - more jobs for community. Raise wages for workers to show affordable and living wages.
Pandemic was a first for all of us. To that end we all are experienced and expected to act accordingly in the event we cross a similar path in the future.
We should constantly look at ways to improve public safety and it should be a goal that we are always striving to improve.
My plans will be to continue working for the community and constituents.
Implementing community engagement Town Hall meetings as often as needed.
To continue to provide support and understanding to the community and Constituents as we continue deal with the rapid development and growth in our communities.
She showed my sister and I- that weeping endures but for one night. Joy will come in the morning.
Community Engagement
Community Service
Transparency
Accountability
Accessibility
Lived in my District my entire live. I’m accountable & accessible. Professional skills include , business and workforce development. Committed to providing strategic budget planning and management.
Holding community leaders & colleagues accountable.
I was 19 years of age
Accountability
Dependable
Hardworking
Accessible
Public Service
Community Advocacy
Metrolina Labor Council
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry L.McFadden
Emma S. Allen -State Farm Insurance Agent
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Note: Community Questions were submitted by the public and chosen for inclusion by a volunteer advisory board. The chosen questions were modified by staff to adhere to Ballotpedia’s neutrality standards. To learn more about Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Expansion Project, click here.
2022
Tiawana Deling Brown did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Charlotte City Council District 3 |
Officeholder Charlotte City Council District 3 |
Personal |
Footnotes
| |||||||||
