Model Citizen – “Be a Voice, Not an Echo” – Winston’s Political Journey – GDN Exclusive

Braxton Winston – Photo by Reel Shutter Photography, 2019

Braxton Winston has served on the Charlotte City Council as an at-large member for five years. Winston is appreciative to be serving as a city leader in the nation’s 16th-largest city. I got a chance to interview Winston to discuss his journey into politics. His name and protest photo went viral in the wake of the 2016 Keith Lamont Scott tragedy.

Keith Lamont Scott Incident

Winston reflects on September 20, 2016, being a typical day. He coached a middle school football game in Concord, NC. After the game, Winston was preparing to go to his 2nd job. At the gas station, Winston chatted with college friends from Davidson College, with whom he typically conversed. Winston was stunned to read in the discussion of a black male tragically killed at a bus stop in Charlotte. 2016 was tumultuous in this nation – the Presidential Elections, the Ferguson protest, Trayvon Martin shooting. 2016 was also the introduction of live streaming on social media.

Winston was surprised this occurred close to home, which sparked his curiosity to visit the scene. While there, he live-streamed the scene. The police removed Scott’s truck from the crime scene for evidence. Amidst leaving, a high-pitched voice screamed over his shoulder, which gave him chills. Winston described Scott’s daughter rushing to the crime scene tape, yelling, “That’s my daddy’s car! That’s my daddy’s car! Why did you kill my daddy? Y’all didn’t have to kill him! Why y’all kill him? Why y’all kill him?” The crowd went silent, Winston described. From speaking to onlookers, Winston shared with Greater Diversity News (GDN) Scott was a man who waited for his children every day at the school bus stop. The scream from Scott’s daughter made him think of his children, especially his daughter. “Scott’s daughter had legitimate questions that needed answers. Nobody had answers to her questions. It wasn’t good enough to say cry into your pillow, you’ll get over it, or maybe you’ll get answers at some point in time,” shared Winston with GDN.

Winston internalized that moment, reflecting on what if that was him and his daughter pleading for answers. From there, Winston attempted to get Scott’s daughter’s questions answered after law enforcement closed the crime scene. “The people weren’t necessarily against the police, but it was more of someone needing to stay to answer her questions. Somebody must have this conversation. We wanted the Mayor, City Council, Chief of Police, whoever, to come up. We need to talk about this now, not later,” explained Winston.

Demonstration

The crowd demonstrated in response to the incident. Law enforcement responded to the demonstration, which later turned violent. Winston showed viewers, not through that night, but in the days following what was subjectively happening. “I was able to provide commentary from my subjective viewpoint, which people found common grounds. People continue to follow me for live-stream news. They found solidarity in my views after those kinetic demonstrations,” he shared.

Winston got arrested during the demonstration. He wanted to figure out how to keep the momentum going. “I don’t want to keep answering these questions and having these conversations. I did see all this having to do with laws and policies. How could I use whatever the community sees in me to effect the change into local government,” he asked.

Journey Into Local Government

Winston received the privilege and responsibility to amplify the community’s voice after his name surfaced on a larger scale. “I got invited to many rooms, sat at lots of tables,” said Winston. Additionally, Braxton received invitations on higher platforms to speak on issues that matter to him. “This is what it’s like to use your voice,” Braxton shared. He wanted to figure out more ways to advocate for the community.

Advocacy is the role of an elected representative, explained Winston. Going into local government as an at-large member it became clear to Winston that he needed to have many conversations on police policies, economic development, land use, etc. He later ran for City Council in 2017. He made issues affecting him and the community relatable from a city standpoint, such as economic development, housing resources, policing, etc. “This is how we’re going to ask those questions on the foundation of how cities are systemically structured,” he stated. The same as Scott’s daughter, in his opinion, wanting her questions answered on her father’s killing.

Winston never imagined being a politician. Now in his 3rd term, Winston was unanimously selected by council as Charlotte’s Mayor Pro-Tem on September 6, 2022. Winston reflects on the community’s faith, support, and belief in him. “Your voice will take you places. It can take you into rooms to create public platforms to speak on matters and behalf of the voiceless,” shared Winston. Winston personifies a model citizen exercising the power of his voice.

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