Vote Charlene Tarver for County Leg District 16 in the June 23rd Democratic Primary!
Charlene Tarver, JD, LL.M. tax
The People's Candidate
Like her father Roosevelt Tarver (owner of Oasis Fish House), throughout her life and career, Charlene has been a champion for those living in the margins. She believes in a future where every voice matters, no child is left behind, and all Central New Yorkers are empowered to live up to their fullest potential. She's a visionary leader experienced in working across the aisle to get the job done.
Charlene's campaign is the people’s campaign! — A movement where the people come first, not titles, slogans, or political agendas, but safer neighborhoods, stronger families, small business support, economic growth, and housing affordability.
Charlene believes people and families should always come first; and that when we work together to dismantle systems that marginalize and divest in communities, we improve the quality of life for all — because we're #StrongerTogether. Get involved with the campign TODAY. Vote Charlene Tarver for the June 23rd Democratic Primary.
See Charlene Run...
Why I’m Running
"Never ever be afraid to make some noise, and get in good trouble, necessary trouble". —Congressman John Lewis
Often times things don't change without some good trouble. When we stand together, and cause good trouble, we can create policies and systems that make Onondaga County stronger, more inclusive, and more efficient....Better for all the children and families, seniors, and small businesses that call Onondaga County home.
I love District 16 and that pride has taken me around the world! Everything I've done in my career was preparation for serving the community that raised me. As a native Syracusan, I’m running because I’m skilled, qualified, and ready to lead. Let’s stand together and make some good trouble to improve the quality of life for residents across Onondaga County.
#StrongerTogether
A lifelong democrat
Charlene's a lifelong Democrat, a lifelong community servant, and a daughter of Syracuse.
Since returning to the city in May 2021, Charlene launched an incubator supporting minority and women entrepreneurs, an incubator supporting non-profits, an Expo marketplace for small businesses, and is developing a $42M+ mixed-use senior affordable housing project with a ground floor food and retail incubator on the city’s South side, where she grew up. Charlene's a worker!!!! Her family has lived in Syracuse more than 50 years, more than 3 generations, and were the proud owner-operators of Oasis Fish House (home of the comeback fish sandwich and one of the Souhside's early Black-owned restaurants).
Charlene values the principles of civil and human rights, immigration, and women's reproductive health. She will fight across the county and state to ensure all residents have a voice.
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A Daughter of Syracuse
SYRACUSE BORN
Roosevelt and Mary Tarver migrated to Syracuse from Alabama in the late 1960’s w/ a strong work ethic and family values. They bought their family's first home on West Colvin Street, the City’s Southside, and owned two small businesses—Oasis Fish House and a dry cleaners on the Westside. Oasis served the Southside close to 20 years and the Tarver’s raised four children and a host of
SYRACUSE BRED
Charlene and her older sister Phyllis attended St Anthony of Padua and were later bused to Bishop Grimes in East Syracuse where Charlene competed in the NAACP ACTSO, the Forensics Speech and Debate Club, she ran track and field, and served as class president. As young girls, Phyllis and Charlene worked in the family restaurant developing a keen understanding of the difficulties invo
SYRACUSE STRONG
Charlene graduated from NYU with a BA in Sociology (1993), her JD from UB Law (1996), an LL.M. in Tax and CEBS from Georgetown Law (2003), and an Executive Mgmt. Cert from Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy (2023). Charlene serves on the Syracuse Community Health Center board and is an emeriti member of Georgetown’s Black Alumni Council. She's had a distinguished career o
CHANGE AGENT
Throughout her career Charlene’s been known as a change agent and trailblazer. She‘s a rainmaker for BIPOC women and girls and a huge proponent of inclusion, social justice, and community/economic development that strategically addresses food and housing security.
THOUGHT LEADER
Charlene has extensive experience in public policy. From her work on COVID-19, womenomics, and the race and gender pay gap to her advocacy on health equity, food security and housing affordability, Charlene is a national voice.
SAD’E AND IM’AN’S MOM
Of Charlene's many accomplishments, the single most important (bar-none) is being Sad'e and Im’an's mom. As a mother of identical twin daughters, Charlene understands first-hand the high cost of healthcare, childcare, and groceries. The twins are a rare mono-mono birth and were born in Syracuse at Crouse Irving Hospital.