A Call to Leaders for Integrity, Accountability, and Service for Charlotte's Future

To: Mayor Lyles, Members of the Charlotte City Council, and My Fellow Citizens:

As a resident of Charlotte and a constituent of District 3, I write today with deep concern about the state of leadership and integrity in our city. Recent events have not only shaken my confidence in those elected to serve us—they’ve revealed troubling patterns that continue to erode public trust and delegitimize institutions across our nation.

The federal indictment of Councilwoman Tiawana Brown, who represents my district, is only the latest in a growing list of alarming developments within our city government and related public institutions. Councilwoman Brown stands accused of wire fraud and conspiracy involving more than $124,000 in COVID relief funds. Beyond the disturbing details of how those funds were reportedly used, I’m left wondering: where is the self-regulation we expect from our leaders? The discipline to avoid even the appearance of wrongdoing—especially when operating under fragile public trust, and preparing to ask for that trust again in the face of serious allegations—should be foundational.

These charges, compounded by a prior conviction for fraud and time served in federal prison, demand thoughtful scrutiny. While Councilwoman Brown maintains her innocence and emphasizes that the allegations predate her time in office, her claim that these charges reflect attacks based on race—and her refusal to step down—further undermine public confidence. I found this framing not only unsatisfactory, but deeply troubling.

As a Black woman, I do not offer this feedback to minimize the systemic injustices that persist in our legal and political systems. They are real, and they are ongoing. But we must not use the language of systemic injustice to excuse individual misconduct.

When Councilwoman Brown stated that “the justice system doesn’t favor people who look like me” as a deflection from legitimate inquiry, it rang not just hollow—it rang careless. To invoke that truth as a political shield in this context is a disservice to those who are fighting every day for a more just and equitable society. It dilutes the moral weight of that struggle and risks undermining the very accountability that justice demands.

But Councilwoman Brown is not alone...

The allegations against Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden are also deeply disturbing. While the sheriff has received praise for his “no-nonsense” leadership style, his tenure has also been marked by troubling reports: a toxic workplace for deputies, retaliation against staff, public humiliation of employees, and the use of racially charged and demeaning language. These concerns are compounded by a dramatic spike in jail deaths during his tenure—higher than under previous sheriffs with similar time in office.

Accolades from afar cannot erase the very real harm experienced here at home—by employees, by community members, and by families who have lost loved ones while in county custody.

It should be clear to Sheriff McFadden that recognition does not outweigh the duty to lead with professionalism, transparency, and integrity. And yet, like Councilwoman Brown, he has denied the claims, dismissed mounting evidence, and refused to resign.

In yet another blow to public confidence, the City recently approved a $300,000 settlement to Police Chief Johnny Jennings in a closed-door council session—reportedly to avoid a lawsuit. No explanation was provided to the public. This lack of transparency has triggered an investigation by the North Carolina State Auditor, who reminded us: “There is no tax dollar free from public scrutiny.” A truism with which I wholeheartedly agree.

To treat public governance as something to manage in private, out of public view, is to further erode trust—not only in our City Council, but in the institutions meant to protect and serve our communities.

I write this not in haste and not to shame—none of us are perfect. But I do believe that those called to serve and entrusted to lead must be held to a higher standard. So I speak to the council body and to my fellow citizens with the gravity of someone watching the soul of their city slip into the shadows of scandal.

This is not just about Charlotte. Across this country, disinformation, corruption, and political apathy are feeding public disillusionment and fraying the very fabric of civil society.

Like the rule of law, governance only works when we all agree to believe in it—when we trust in the efficacy of our leaders and the legitimacy of the rules. We in Charlotte are not immune.

And while I do not call for a rush to judgment—due process matters—when the noise of scandal grows so loud that it drowns out the ability to govern, we must ask: does continued service benefit the city or detract from it? This is a question for every council member who bears responsibility not just to their office, but to the people who placed them there.

Holding office is not a right. It is a responsibility. And clinging to power in spite of all else reflects a deeper problem—one that has failed too many communities, time and again.

Charlotte deserves better.

We deserve leaders who reflect the best of our values: honesty, humility, accountability, and a clear-eyed commitment to public service. Let this moment be a turning point—not toward further division, but toward ethical leadership and civic renewal.

Charlotte has long positioned itself as a shining city of the New South. If that identity is to mean anything today, it must be reflected in how we govern. Not just in growth or branding—but in the integrity of our leadership, and the trust we build with those we serve.

With respect and hope for our city’s future,

-Robin Emmons, Charlotte District 3

P.S. - I write not only as a concerned citizen, but as part of a growing national effort to restore the moral center of public life. The Citizens’ Project 2025 is a call to action—for local ambassadors, engaged neighbors, and everyday people to step up, speak out, and demand better from those who lead. Charlotte has the potential to model what courageous, transparent, and people-first governance can look like. Let’s begin here.

Submitted as part of The Citizens’ Project 2025 | Memorial Day Weekend 2025

📣 A Call to Action:

If this Open Letter resonates with you, please consider becoming a part of a growing citizen powered movement to reclaim Democracy through collective power, to elect and hold accountable leaders who reflect our deepest shared values of honesty, transparency, integrity, and service.

🇺🇸 Learn about The CITIZENS’ Project here

Note: The CITIZENS' Project 2025 is a movement to restore democracy through citizen leadership and has no affiliation with the conservative “Project 2025” blueprint from the Heritage Foundation.