Nichel Dunlap-Thompson is a proud Charlotte native raised on the West Side, running for Mecklenburg County Commissioner At-Large. Her values were shaped early by humble beginnings, hard work, and the influence of her grandmother, Estelle Dove, who instilled in her that leadership requires structure, inclusion, and careful planning—principles that continue to guide her today. She is a graduate of Myers Park High School and Queens University of Charlotte, where she earned a B.A. in Communications. She believes every resident deserves to be heard—and more importantly, respected through action that improves daily life across Mecklenburg County.
 

For more than 15 years, Nichel has worked alongside neighbors to strengthen the community. She has organized initiatives such as the Cherry Community Connection Cookout and has advocated for stronger safety measures in and around public transit. As a former CATS operator, she has seen firsthand how safety failures impact working families. The tragic loss of Ethan Rivera to on-the-job violence reinforced her commitment to ensuring stronger protections for both workers and the public. For the past 10 years, she has also served in the labor movement, advocating for dignity on the job, fair treatment, and safer workplaces. Through the Advancing Black Strategists Initiative (Jobs with Justice), she completed labor studies training through Morehouse College, further strengthening her ability to build coalitions and deliver meaningful results.