Veleria M. Levy

The Election Hub Questionnaire

Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live).

I am 50-plus (and as a Black woman and an Auntie, we say 50-plus with pride because asking for exact ages is a little disrespectful LOL). I am a healthcare advocate who works at the intersection of healthcare, policy and community advocacy. I am a nonprofit leader, and health equity consultant. I live in House District 99 and have spent more than two decades working alongside communities across North and South Carolina that are most impacted by policy decisions.

I am the founder of HerHealth Consulting, where I focus on health equity, healthcare disparities, reproductive health, and equity for Black and Brown women. My work has centered on healthcare access, HIV care and prevention, and community-driven solutions that protect reduce stigma, educate and provide dignity, safety, and opportunity for all.

Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share your previous experience in elected office that would be relevant to voters.

I am running because too many families in District 99 are working hard but falling behind while decisions are made in Raleigh and DC, that don’t reflect their everyday realities. Housing, healthcare, energy costs, and wages are out of balance, and people want leadership that listens and responds. I care deeply about protecting our environment and our future, and I believe elected officials must be independent from corporate interests they are responsible for regulating. That is why I will not take corporate PAC money that conflicts with the values and priorities of this district.

While I have not held elected office, I bring decades of experience working with legislators across North and South Carolina and in Washington DC, serving in Democratic Party leadership, and advocating for policies that strengthen healthcare access, environmental responsibility, bodily autonomy, and economic stability. Voters should pick me because I lead with passion, with grit, accountability, constituent care, and a commitment to putting people first.

Tell us 1-2 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills.

I founded HerHealth Consulting LLC to address healthcare disparities impacting Black and Brown women, particularly in reproductive and preventive care, after seeing firsthand how systems fail the people most in need. I also previously led statewide advocacy efforts in HIV care and prevention, building coalitions, educating lawmakers, and advancing policies rooted in evidence and compassion. My leadership style is collaborative, data-informed, and grounded in community voice.

What endorsements from any notable North Carolina organizations or people have you received?

I am proud to be endorsed by the Sierra Club, the Sunrise Movement, Carolina Forward and more to come.

How long have you lived in the region/district where you are running for office?

I have lived in Charlotte for over 20 years, and North Charlotte was the first area I called home when I moved here. This community helped shape who I am, and it remains the place I care deeply about. My connection to this area is personal, long-standing, and rooted in relationships, not politics. I love this part of Charlotte and am committed to protecting its people, neighborhoods, and future

Tell us something unexpected about yourself that voters may be interested to know.

As a progressive, I believe deeply in balance, care, and guardrails. I do not believe in “defunding the police,” and I do not believe in eliminating the Second Amendment. I believe in responsibility, training, and working together so that rights, safety, and dignity are protected for everyone. Community safety is not about choosing sides. It is about building trust and making sure the right response meets the right situation.

This is personal for me. My son has epilepsy, and I have lived with the fear many families carry when a medical condition, disability, or difference could be misunderstood in a moment of stress. A non-response, confusion, or delay can look like defiance when it is actually a health crisis. That reality shapes how I think about safety, training, and accountability. Law enforcement officers deserve better tools, better preparation, and access to support professionals like case managers and mental health responders who can meet them on calls when appropriate.

In 2022, after the death of Trayvon Martin, my son completed a school project that became something much bigger. He created a program called SKIN, a concept for diversity and safety training for law enforcement. SKIN stands for Sensitivity, Kindness, Inner Peace, and Necessary. His idea was simple but profound: that officers carry this reminder with them and pause before each interaction to ground themselves in humanity, calm, and care. He wanted it to make encounters safer for civilians and officers alike.

What broke my heart is that he was afraid to present this idea directly to local police departments because he feared how he would be seen or remembered later in life. That fear did not stop him. It pushed him forward. Today, he is a double major in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security at VCU, committed to improving the systems that once frightened him.

That is the kind of leadership I believe in. Supporting law enforcement while demanding accountability and better training are not opposites; they are how trust and safety are built. When officers, communities, healthcare professionals, and families work together, everyone is safer. That is the future I am fighting for.