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 Latino, first formerly undocumented immigrant, and first Gen-Zer elected in Charlotte City Council's history.
• 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

Council Committee Assignments

Housing, Economic Development & Workforce

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)