Meet Braxton Winston II
Braxton Winston is currently serving as an At-Large member of Charlotte City Council with a goal of developing a city that is more equitable, accessible and interconnected. The Charlotte community has been working to change the direction of the historical inequities that have defined our growth. Braxton believes good governance and leadership from our Council-Manager form of government is integral to achieving our goals. He was first elected by the people of Charlotte to the Charlotte City Council as an At-Large member in 2017.
Growing Up
Braxton was born in Camp Lejeune, N.C., where his father was stationed in the United States Marine Corps. His mother was a public school math teacher. After his father’s retirement from military service, the family relocated to Brooklyn, New York. As the child of a Marine and a teacher, the importance of education, public service and a solid work ethic were ingrained in Braxton at an early age.
Education
He flourished academically in the New York City public school system and was enrolled in the demanding PREP 9 program. Braxton thrived at Phillips Academy Andover where he excelled in academics, arts, sports, and student government. At Davidson College he earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and was a two-time letterman on the football team.
Work
Braxton is a union stagehand and grip and a member of our region’s robust sports television and entertainment production community. He takes immense pride in being a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Union. He is also the Charlotte Liason for the Delaware College Scholars Program. He sits on several boards and committees including My Brother’s Keeper Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the Board of Trustees of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and Habitat for Humanity's Charlotte Neighborhood Revitalization Committee.
Citizen Journalism
Braxton seeks new models of engagement for communities who have historically been left out of the Charlotte decision-making process. Braxton was inspired by the events in September of 2016 following the fatal police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott in the University City area of Charlotte. As a citizen journalist during that time he realized the importance of persistent public scrutiny by an informed citizenry. A continuous, transparent conversation between government and the constituents it serves is the only way to amplify and uplift voices from Charlotte’s most challenged communities. Braxton believes these open community dialogues provide an equity lens that will focus the impact of our decisions to create a more just city.