The last Presidential election cycle was eye opening, but I am boldly still committing to the Party's promise to embrace and serve all people, regardless of race, age, gender, creed, or economic status, and now, in today’s climate, where both history and progress face erasure, I am determined to protect the truth.
My diverse experiences have given me the insight to see that the Secretary’s role is more than administrative, so here’s what I’ll prioritize in this role:
Accuracy: Maintain clear and timely communication to ensure members stay informed and engaged.
Transparency: Uphold record-keeping integrity, safeguarding history and decisions for future generations.
Representation: Foster open channels for feedback while ensuring consistent messaging that reflects and advances voter interests.
Growth: Support outreach efforts to expand our long-term, local impact.
We need leaders who bring both passion and vision to the table, and my experiences and values have equipped me to do so. Let’s work together to create a stronger, more inclusive Democratic Party that truly represents Mecklenburg County and the electorate we seek to serve.
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Accuracy
Maintain clear and timely communication to ensure members stay informed and engaged.
-
Transparency
Uphold record-keeping integrity, safeguarding history and decisions for future generations.
-
Representation
Foster open channels for feedback while ensuring consistent messaging that reflects and advances voter interests.
-
Growth
Support outreach efforts to expand our long-term, local impact.
I am Michele Slawon Tokpah, and I am a Candidate for Secretary of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party, a role that aligns with my personal journey, professional expertise, and unwavering belief in the principles of our Party.
As a daughter of Liberian immigrants who found refuge for themselves and their children right here in Mecklenburg County due to civil unrest abroad, I have witnessed firsthand the blessings of liberty that the Democratic Party works tirelessly to ensure. I was raised by the two educators in East Charlotte where my heart for service was cultivated in childhood when I was a Girl Scout and avid volunteer. As an adolescent, I supported advocacy efforts for various causes both on and off campus as an International Baccalaureate and JROTC student.
I have donated my time and talents to organizations committed to community and social wellbeing into adulthood, and I’ve built a career as a capacity builder and organizational leader for multinational companies, but my journey with the Democratic Party started over 15 years ago through grassroots efforts for local and national campaigns— canvassing, phone banking, rallying, educating, debating, petitioning, and garnering engagement. I am also an appointed member of the Women’s Advisory Board of Mecklenburg County, International Minority Coalition, NAACP, and the Liberian Community Association of Greater Charlotte where I served as Chair of the Membership Committee, co-leading various civic engagement, outreach, and benevolence initiatives. My affiliations within the County Party include Democrats of North Mecklenburg, Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County, and the African American Caucus.
Since graduating from Harding University High in Charlotte, NC, I’ve attended Hampton University, obtained an undergraduate degree in Mass Communications from the University of Liberia, and resumed my studies to earn a Master of Public Administration from Wake Forest University which I currently pursue. I have lived in Liberia, West Africa, Virginia, and Georgia, but since my husband and I planted roots in Huntersville, NC in 2024, I have been doing what I can in my capacity to protect the freedoms of our daughters and everyone else impacted by the threats posed by leadership that puts the needs of a few over the whole.
The last Presidential election cycle was eye opening, but I am boldly still committing to the Party's promise to embrace and serve all people, regardless of race, age, gender, creed, or economic status. Let’s work together to create a stronger, more inclusive Democratic Party that truly represents all of Mecklenburg County and the electorate we seek to serve.
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