After an election that reflected deep national polarization, what are local governments doing to move forward? For Knight Foundation’s latest episode of Coast to Coast, Daniella Levine Cava of Miami-Dade County, Fla., Vi Lyles of Charlotte, N.C., Jim Kenney of Philadelphia, PA. -- mayors of cities in battleground states -- reflect on how communities can build consensus and use local power to shape their own futures despite national divisions.
Daniella Levine Cava was elected Miami-Dade County’s first-ever woman Mayor in November 2020. She enters the Mayor's office following a nearly 40-year career as a relentless advocate for South Florida families in public service and elected leadership.
As Miami-Dade County’s Mayor, she oversees a metropolitan government with more than 28,000 employees serving nearly 3 million residents, managing an annual budget of approximately $9 billion.
A social worker, lawyer, and community activist, she was first elected in 2014, and re-elected in August 2018, to serve as the Miami-Dade County Commissioner representing District 8.
A lifelong Philadelphian, Mayor Jim Kenney grew up the oldest of four children in a South Philadelphia rowhome. On January 4, 2016, Jim was sworn in as the 99th Mayor of Philadelphia.
Since 2016, he has championed bold anti-poverty initiatives, including the expansion of free, quality pre-K; the creation of Community Schools; and the historic investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in parks, recreation centers, playgrounds, and libraries — all because Philadelphia became the first major city in the U.S. to pass a tax on sugary drinks. The Administration successfully led the return of the School District to local control, and continues to defend Philadelphia’s values as a Welcoming City while making significant strides in criminal justice reform.
Now in his second term, Jim is focused on advancing racial justice and driving an equitable economic recovery from COVID-19 to ensure that Philadelphia is a city that works for all.
On Dec. 4, 2017, Vi Lyles was sworn in as the 59th mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. She began her second term on Dec. 2, 2019, after receiving more than 77% of the vote in the general election.
As a Democratic leader, Mayor Lyles is known for her strong commitment toward creating jobs, expanding affordable housing options and supporting safe, livable neighborhoods. She is also an advocate for increased transportation alternatives and improved access to public transit.
Mayor Lyles received a bachelor's degree in political science from Queens University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Under her leadership, the City of Charlotte continues to grow into an epicenter of commerce and a thriving market for technological advancement.
The Mayors’ Institute on City Design is a leadership initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Since 1986, the Mayors’ Institute has helped transform communities through design by preparing mayors to be the chief urban designers of their cities.
“Coast to Coast” is a weekly Knight Foundation show. Hosted Lilly Weinberg, Knight director in the Community and National Initiatives program, the program will take a weekly deep dive into cities and the important ideas and insights that move them forward.
Tweet questions and join the conversation live on Thursdays at 1pm ET using #knightlive!