Dr. Victoria Watlington, PE, PMP

Today, we remember.

I don't usually make it personal. But this one is.

Both my parents are US Army Retired. I grew up learning that the strongest teams--military or civilian-'are built on diverse perspectives, not despite them.

I'm a UF alum who turned down Duke for a minority achievement full-ride. PhD. Licensed PE. Elected official. UF 40 Under 40. The data on my life says access works.

Systemic barriers shaped my options. Merit shaped my outcomes. Both things are true.

DEI didn't lower the bar. It ensured the bar was applied to me--not the zip code I grew up in or the wealth my family didn't have.

When we remove barriers to talent, we get more talent. That's not ideology. That's engineering.

Here's what history actually shows: every American turnaround--the New Deal, the GI Bill, the Civil Rights Movement--happened when working people connected across difference instead of being divided by it. Acknowledging race's impact on opportunity is not the same as dividing by race. Confusing the two is either a mistake or a strategy.

We don't rise by pulling the ladder up. We rise by building a bigger one.

Calling that discriminatory isn't truth-seeking. It's cowardice.

Do you want to make your voice heard in local government but don't know where to start? Your at-large representative is here to help!

Join Council Member Victoria Watlington for a town hall that's all about navigating Charlotte government for real impact. Receive tactical handouts, hear directly from organizational leaders and network with prominent associations.

Come engage with your government on Thursday, May 28, from 6-8 p.m. at the Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center (430 Stitt Road). Register and request accommodations at cltgov.me/watlington.

🏷️ Dr. Victoria Watlington, PE, PMP

About last night 🎭

If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing a show at Theatre Charlotte, get to it!

The season opener for The Color Purple kicked off last night--I was blown away by the talent right here in our community. Fantastic job by the cast and crew!