History of Vi Lyles in Timeline

Vi Lyles is an American politician and the current mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, a position she has held since 2017. As a member of the Democratic Party, her political career includes prior service on the Charlotte City Council. Her election as mayor marked a significant moment in Charlotte's history.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 28, 1952: Viola Alexander Lyles Born

On September 28, 1952, Viola Alexander Lyles was born. She is an American politician.

Others born on this day/year

1987: Death of Wayne Alexander

In 1987, Wayne Alexander, Vi Lyles' first husband and a North Carolina State Attorney, passed away after running his private practice for 12 years.

2004: Consulting Director roles

In 2004, Vi Lyles started working as a consulting director for the Lee Institute and then for Flynn Heath Holt Leadership.

2012: Community Outreach Director for Democratic National Convention

In 2012, Vi Lyles served as the community outreach director for the Democratic National Convention.

2013: Death of John Lyles

In 2013, John Lyles, the second husband of Vi Lyles, passed away.

2013: Elected to Charlotte City Council

In 2013, Vi Lyles was elected to the Charlotte City Council.

2015: Elected Mayor Pro-Tem

In 2015, Vi Lyles was elected as mayor pro-tem of the Charlotte City Council.

2015: Charlotte Unemployment Rate

In 2015, when Mayor Lyles entered office, Charlotte's unemployment rate averaged 5.30%.

February 2016: Supported LGBTQ non-discrimination ordinance

In February 2016, Vi Lyles supported an LGBTQ non-discrimination ordinance that prohibited discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in public accommodations.

September 2016: Proposed plan to reduce racial and class divisions

Following the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott in September 2016, Vi Lyles proposed a seven-point plan to reduce racial and class divisions in Charlotte; parts of the plan were approved by the council.

2016: Charlotte Unemployment Rate

In 2016, Charlotte's unemployment rate averaged 4.85%.

September 2017: Defeated Jennifer Roberts in Democratic Primary

In September 2017, Vi Lyles defeated Jennifer Roberts in the Democratic Party primary election for Charlotte mayor by a vote of 15,805 to 12,412.

2017: Endorsements Received During Mayoral Election

During the 2017 Charlotte mayoral general election, Vi Lyles received endorsements from various local and national groups, including the Black Political Caucus, Charlotte Firefighters Association, Democracy for America, Human Rights Campaign, MeckPAC, Equality NC, and The Charlotte Observer.

2017: Charlotte Unemployment Rate

In 2017, Charlotte's unemployment rate averaged 4.38%.

2017: Elected as Mayor of Charlotte

In 2017, Vi Lyles became the 59th mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

2017: Won Charlotte Mayoral Election

In 2017, Vi Lyles defeated Kenny Smith in the Charlotte Mayoral Election, becoming the first African-American female mayor of the city and its first former city administrator to serve as mayor.

April 2018: Sought expansion of the Housing Trust Fund

In April 2018, Vi Lyles sought to expand the Housing Trust Fund to promote the construction of public housing for low-income renters through subsidies.

2018: Charlotte Unemployment Rate

In 2018, Charlotte's unemployment rate averaged 3.88%.

2019: Charlotte Unemployment Rate

In 2019, Charlotte's unemployment rate averaged 3.68%.

2019: Won second term as mayor

In 2019, Vi Lyles won the election against Republican David Michael Rice to secure a second term as the Mayor of Charlotte.

April 2020: Charlotte Unemployment Rate

In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Charlotte's unemployment rate reached 13.0%.

November 1, 2021: Launched the Racial Equity Initiative

On November 1, 2021, Mayor Vi Lyles launched the Racial Equity Initiative, investing $250 million to address inequities by building a new Center for Digital Equity, investing in Charlotte's six corridors of opportunity neighborhoods, turning Johnson C. Smith University into a top HBCU, and ensuring commitment from organizations to advance black leaders and leaders of color throughout their corporations.

2021: Charlotte Unemployment Rate

In 2021, Charlotte's unemployment rate averaged 4.67%.

2021: Implemented Alternatives to Violence in Charlotte program

In 2021, Mayor Vi Lyles and the city of Charlotte implemented a program called Alternatives to Violence in Charlotte to curb violent crimes and shootings, starting in the Mecklenburg County area before expanding to the Beatties Ford and LaSalle county areas.

2022: Charlotte Unemployment Rate

From January to August 2022, Charlotte's unemployment rate averaged 3.76%.

2022: Won Third Mayoral Term

In 2022, Vi Lyles was re-elected for her third mayoral term after winning against Republican Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao.

2023: Budget Allocation for Fiscal Year 2023

In 2023, the General Fund budget allocations for Charlotte included: Police receiving 40.5% ($317.6 million), Fire receiving 19.7% ($154.8 million), Solid Waste Services receiving 9.6% ($75.3 million), Innovation and Technology receiving 6.2% ($48.8 million), Financial Partners/Other receiving 5.4% ($42.7 million), Internal Services receiving 5.1% ($39.8 million), Transportation receiving 3.9% ($30.4 million), General Services receiving 3.1% ($24.7 million), Housing and Neighborhood Services receiving 2.8% ($21.6 million), Planning receiving 1.6% ($12.8 million), Street Lighting receiving 1.2% ($9.8 million), and Economic Development receiving 0.8% ($6.6 million).

September 9, 2025: Statement on the killing of Iryna Zarutska

On September 9, 2025, Vi Lyles addressed the killing of Iryna Zarutska, attributing it to the justice system's failure and advocating for a bipartisan solution to address repeat offenders and individuals with untreated mental illness.

September 2025: Statement on the killing of Iryna Zarutska

In September 2025, Vi Lyles stated that the killing of Iryna Zarutska was caused in part by the failure of the justice system. On September 9, 2025, she called for a bipartisan solution to address repeat offenders and those who cannot get treatment for their mental illness.