Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles invited as guest for President Biden’s State of the Union

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles has been invited as a guest to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address to Congress on Tuesday evening.

Lyles, a Democrat, is in her third term as mayor of Charlotte and was invited by congresswoman Alma Adams.

The State of the Union highlights the achievements and work to be done under the leadership of President Biden.

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“In Charlotte, Mayor Lyles has led local recovery efforts to make sure our city and our region recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congresswoman Adams. “However, Vi has gone a step further by centering equity and racial justice in her time as mayor, and her work with the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative provided a clear framework to use American Rescue Plan Act funds in a way that addresses historic disparities in our community, and builds Charlotte back better than before. I am honored to invite Mayor Vi Lyles to be my guest to the State of the Union Address.”

Lyles says she will be heading to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to keep her work up on things like affordable housing and racial equity in Charlotte.

“I believe with the Biden administration when they work with us on issues like mobility like the roads and mass transit, they understand the importance of putting affordable housing close to those kinds of efforts,” Lyles said.

The Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative is a Public-Private Partnership that is the corporate response to Mayor Lyles’ call for a more equitable Queen City. The City of Charlotte allocated $10 million of its American Rescue Plan funds to the initiative to help address the digital divide. The city also leveraged ARPA funds to support housing, small businesses, local nonprofits, and workforce development, with nearly 80 percent of the city’s ARPA funds being distributed to the community.

When it comes to the national stage, Lyles now has a seat at the table.

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“I feel honored and privileged to attend President Biden’s State of the Union Address as a guest of Congresswoman Alma Adams,” mayor Lyles said. “Her exceptional leadership and unwavering support have been instrumental in securing crucial federal funding for our region, including American Rescue Plan Act funds.”

Although she admits it’s an uphill battle, Lyles says, is an opportunity to highlight the work being done in Charlotte. Many of city council’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, for example, have funneled into housing, small businesses, nonprofits, and other racial equity endeavors.

“Our city is making significant progress in promoting equity and correcting historical injustices through initiatives like the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative, and we aim to serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country. Our goal is to set the standard for promoting racial equity and upward mobility for all,” Lyles added.

The council housing committee brought up even more solutions Monday.

Council member Renee Johnson: “Educating homeowners associations on strengthening their bylaws.”

As well as exploring tax incentives, broader terminology, and an easier permit process for developers when it comes to affordable housing.

Council member LaWana Mayfield: “A little more support and a little more funding -- maybe a lot more funding -- we’ll be able to get further down the road.”

Funding, one thing Lyles says Congresswoman Alma Adams has helped out with a great deal, the city spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to build bridge barriers and affordable housing.

“She’s had the ability to place us forward in grant programs she can speak to the administration about the needs of urban areas, especially in her district, so she has been a champion,” Lyles said.

But Lyles admits there’s absolutely more work to be done and hopefully in conjunction with mobility and environmental goals.

“And so the ability for us to build a train with affordable housing next to it,” she said. “That means that person doesn’t need a car to get to work. That makes our air cleaner but it also provides that person discretionary income that they never had.”

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