Born into a family grounded in faith and service, Monifa "Mo" Drayton learned early lessons about community, compassion and responsibility from her parents. In fellowship halls, college campuses and neighborhood outreach events, she lives by the rule that leadership begins with listening, showing up for people, creating space for voices to be heard and moving words into action.

As an award-winning leader, following a robust career serving as a leader within the healthcare industry for more than 22 years, Mo Drayton is currently the CEO of a strategic planning firm. Within her role, she brings over 25 years of experience in systems change, coalition building, executive leadership, strategic planning, and team engagement. As a result of her diverse experience and political leadership, Mo was selected as a member of the inaugural cohort for the Congressman James E. Clyburn Leadership Institute where she has learned to master campaign management, geopolitics, voter engagement and leveraging data for change. To date she has a 100%-win rate as a campaign manager and strategist for several elected officials within Charlotte, NC. Additionally, she is a proud member of the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in which she serves as the chair for political and social action for close to 1,000 members. 

 

Dedicated to community engagement, after serving as a board member since 2019 for the Mecklenburg Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, in February 2023 she was appointed by the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners to serve as the first Black woman to chair the organization within its 75-year history. In this role she, guides a nearly $300 million dollar budget and more than 30 locations. The profits from this organization help to support over thirty nonprofit organizations whose mission include health, wellness and substance abuse prevention. Humbly, she is the recipient of numerous awards including “Who’s Who in Black Charlotte,” the Shirley Chisholm Legacy Award, Mecklenburg Times 50 Most Influential Women, Q City Metro “Great 28” Leaders in Charlotte, Atrium Health Excellence in Diversity and Equity Honors and Diversity MBA Top 100 Under 50. 

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She received her Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a Bachelor of Science degree from South Carolina State University where she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.  

In her spare time she enjoys global travel, golf, live music and spending time with family and friends. 

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