JD Mazuera Arias

Term on City Council:

December, 2025 - Present

Education:

• Master of Public Administration (MPA), NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service (Bloomberg Public Service Fellow)
• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Queens University of Charlotte
• Graduate of East Mecklenburg High School, Randolph Middle School, and Idlewild Elementary (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools)

Professional Experience:

• Community Mental Health Advocate, NAMI Charlotte’s Media & Communications Coordinator — supporting bilingual communications, storytelling initiatives, and mental health access
• Leader in Democratic Politics, leading the Hispanic Democrats of Mecklenburg County and founder of the North Carolina Latino Political Caucus
• Government Affairs & Public Policy Professional, specializing in technology policy, cyber regulation, and global government engagement
• Senior Government Affairs Assistant, The Century Foundation (TCF): worked on national policy related to immigration, racial equity, higher education funding, and economic opportunity
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Public Policy Fellow, serving in:
  • The Aspen Institute’s Latinos & Society Program
  • The U.S. House Office of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
• Grassroots, Campus & Electoral Organizer: former Communications Director for the Hispanic American Democrats of Mecklenburg County; field/campus organizing roles in federal, state, and local campaigns

Civic Engagement:

• Chair, Hispanic Democratic Caucus of Mecklenburg County
• National Board Member & VP for Civic Engagement, CHCI Alumni Association
• Founder, North Carolina Latino Political Caucus (501(c)(4))
• Long-time advocate for immigrant rights, DACA recipients, and mixed-status families
• Organizer in East Charlotte neighborhood associations, small business corridors, faith communities, and youth-leadership circles
• Leader in building bilingual civic-engagement infrastructure focused on safety, rights education, and community empowerment

Key Achievements:

• First formerly undocumented immigrant and first openly gay Latino elected to represent District 5 on the Charlotte City Council
• Elected after one of the closest primaries in the 2025 election cycle — powered by a grassroots, youth-driven, immigrant-led coalition
• Recognized nationally for work advancing racial, education, health, and immigration equity through CHCI and The Century Foundation with a publication on health access disparities among queer Latino men.
• Played a significant civic role during the 2025 “Charlotte’s Web” federal enforcement operation, helping mobilize resources, legal aid, community safety communications, and multilingual public-information channels
• Advocated for expanding Latino representation in precinct leadership, civic boards, and public-decision spaces across Mecklenburg County
• Published work on workforce development and digitalization in the Harvard Kennedy School’s Journal of Hispanic Policy

Platform and Goals

Councilmember Mazuera Arias’ priorities are grounded in the Charlotte Future 2040 Plan and shaped by the lived experiences of East Charlotte’s immigrant, working-class, and multilingual communities.

• Transparency & Accountability
  • Strengthen multilingual communication to ensure every resident has access to accurate, timely information
  • Expand inclusive, community-driven engagement processes that center immigrant, youth, and working-class voices
  • Uphold open, responsive, and accessible governance that brings City Council closer to the people it serves
  • Enhance public trust by prioritizing data-informed decision-making and consistent community reporting
• Mixed-Use Development & Local Economy
  • Revitalize East Charlotte’s key business corridors — Central Avenue, Albemarle Road, Sharon Amity, and WT Harris
  • Ensure equitable investment and community-centered planning at Eastland Yards
  • Support immigrant-owned and small businesses through targeted economic development tools
  • Expand opportunities for local entrepreneurship, workforce development, and neighborhood-serving retail
• Public Safety
  • Advance community-centered safety models grounded in prevention, trust, and collaboration
  • Strengthen mental-health crisis response systems and non-police alternatives
  • Improve Vision Zero priority intersections and reduce traffic fatalities
  • Invest in youth programs, violence-prevention efforts, and culturally responsive safety initiatives

Awards and Recognitions

• Best of the Nest 2025, Most Promising Politician, Queen City Nerve
• Queens University of Charlotte 10 Under 10 Award
• Bloomberg Public Service Fellow, NYU Wagner
• Robert Berne Award for Leadership, NYU Wagner
• CHCI Public Policy Fellow (nationally competitive fellowship)