Jennifer Roberts

Jennifer Roberts is a former mayor of Charlotte and a lifelong champion on issues related to education and equality. She is the first person to be elected to serve as both Chairman of the County Commission and later as Mayor of Charlotte.

Roberts was instrumental in creating a public/private partnership to build a new shelter in Charlotte for survivors of domestic violence and spearheaded the creation of Charlotte NEXT, an organization dedicated to improving after school programs for at-risk teens.

She has also worked with public and private partners to expand technology opportunities for disadvantaged youth through programs such as TechCharlotte, DigiGirlz, and the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program.

Roberts has worked as a diplomat for the State Department, as an international business woman, and as a high school math teacher.

She is a proud recipient of the Maya Angelou Women Who Lead award, the National Association of Women Business Owners’ Public Policy Leader of the Year award, and Equality North Carolina’s Ally of the Year award.

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