Aimy Steele | |
|---|---|
| Born | Aimy Shantel La'Nae Steele 1978 or 1979 (age 46–47)[1] |
| Education | University of North Carolina at Charlotte (BA,MEd,PhD) |
| Known for | Founder ofNew North Carolina Project |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Michael Steele |
| Children | 5 |
Aimy Shantel La'Nae Steele (born 1978 or 1979) is an American businesswoman,nonprofit executive,voting rights activist, and former educator who is the founder and CEO of theNew North Carolina Project. A member of theDemocratic Party, she was a candidate for theNorth Carolina General Assembly in 2018 and 2020.
Aimy Shantel La'Nae Steele[2] was raised in a military family and lived inJapan during part of her childhood.[3]
Steele graduated with herbachelor's degree inSpanish language from theUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte.[2] She later earned hermaster's degree in school administration and aDoctor of Philosophy in curriculum and instruction from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.[4][5]
Steele worked as a teacher for over 10 years and was theprincipal ofBeverly Hills Elementary School from 2014 to 2018.[2][6]
Steele began herreal estate career in 2005, starting as abroker forPrudential Real Estate.[4] She is arealtor and developer inNorth Carolina.[7] She is also the CEO of Reach Consulting, atest preparation company.[8][7]
In2018[1] and2020, Steele was theDemocratic nominee for the82nd district of theNorth Carolina House of Representatives, narrowly losing both elections.[9][10] She conducted most of her second campaign virtually, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[3]
After her time as a candidate, Steele became active inlocal politics and founded the Black Political Caucus inCabarrus County. She is credited with helping elect fiveBlack representatives in the county's government.[11]
During the2024 presidential election, Steele worked for theHarris campaign in North Carolina; focusing on Black andHispanic voter outreach.[12]
In 2021, Steele founded theNew North Carolina Project; anonprofit organization that works toregister andturnout voters regardless of party.[13][14] The project was modeled after voter mobilization efforts like theNew Georgia Project.[15]
Steele won the "Emerging Leader in the Social Justice/Community Advocacy" category of the 2024 EQUALibrium Awards byWFAE.[16]
Steele isBaptist and fluent in Spanish.[2][4] She is married to her husband,Pastor Michael Steele.[5][6] They have five children and live inConcord, North Carolina.[7]