Twenty years ago, a young boy from Anson County was spending most of his free time (summer vacations, holidays and long weekends) in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Charlotte is where his family is from, where most have always resided and where he eventually decided to put down roots in 2010 after graduating from UNC-Charlotte. From his dimly lit living room in the East Charlotte neighborhood of Coventry Woods,Sitting on his sofa with his fur buddy Bailey (an adorable Beagle) snuggled up close, Jamie Hildreth is eagerly prepared to share his insights on the current political climate, finding purpose in work and why Fruit Loops beat Corn Flakes on any given day.
L’Monique King: Do you have any siblings?
Jamie Hildreth: Yes. I’m the baby of three. I have an older brother and a sister (the middle sibling). My older brother, John, is also gay – and my opposite. I like to think of myself as a social butterfly, but my brother John is a real social butterfly. He’s never met a stranger. I’m nice and pleasant [when meeting new people] but at the same time, if I don’t know you – I don’t know you. But John is just going to pull it out of you, all the information, all the tea. When you meet John, you’re gonna leave with a new best friend.
LMK: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
JH: Oh God, that changed so much. For the longest time I said I wanted to be a doctor. Even in high school, I joined a program that would [result in] me graduating as a nurse. I quickly realized that the program [and profession] wasn’t for me. I didn’t like needles, didn’t like blood and still don’t. It was a great program, especially for those who thought they wanted to become doctors while weeding out those who it wasn’t suited for. It definitely weeded me out. After that, I then thought I wanted to be an attorney. I like helping people and having discussions. It was natural for me, so I joined the debate club and went to UNC Charlotte for Political Science, at the worst time to be in college for that, the height of the recession. Everyone I spoke to said the field was oversaturated.
LMK: Is that what led you to get into politics?
JH: Actually, it started in 2012 during Amendment One, when gay marriage was put on the ballot in North Carolina. Up until that point, even though I was gay I had never had a negative experience [relating to being gay]. I’m a white cis guy and there’s a lot of privilege that comes with that.
At the same time, Republicans were starting their march toward extremism, completely. I felt like I had to do something, I wanted to get involved. Me getting involved was my introduction to the Charlotte LGBTQ community. I reached out to two organizations. I found Charlotte Pride, eventually joined the board and then was invited to join Meck PAC, I loved them. With Meck PAC, I was privy to the behind-the-scenes political processes taking place. It meant meeting Mecklenburg County officials, interviewing them, handing out questionnaires and asking LGBTQ [community oriented] questions. It was extremely informative; learning who your real allies are and aren’t.
In 2016, the Charlotte non-discrimination ordinance was passed, leading to the state of North Carolina passing HB[2] aka the bathroom bill. After all that, came the burn out. I ran for office, running for County Commission at large. I then took a break from politics for a few years and returned in 2020 to become a board member for the New Rural Project. This project is near and dear to my heart because it’s focus is on getting people of color and folks in rural areas out to vote. It’s so important, especially when you consider [what happened] in Anson County in 2022, where I’m from. For the first time in forever, a Republican won a majority of the votes. Ted Bud beat Cherry Beasly.
LMK: Can you share with readers a little bit on what it was like running for County Commissioner?
JH: Highly informative, and while I would have never admitted it at the time, it was also the very real realization that I did not want to be elected. Granted I put my all into and raised more money than all the incumbents combined. However, from that experience I learned – there are more ways of having an impact than being elected. There are so many ways you can be involved and be the change you want to see. I thought about that a lot and realized I want to do things going forward that make me happy and bring me joy. Today, looking at where we are right now, I also feel like politics is just performative. I have a need to do something [beyond the rhetoric and performance]. I want to be involved in organizations on the ground who are actually working towards getting people to vote and making sure that the government is representative of the people they represent. I want our elected officials to look like the people they are actually governing.
LMK: Currently, what’s your livelihood?
JH: Like a lot of people in Charlotte I work for a bank, in the Executive Complaints Department. Daily I’m working with everyday people who are having issues. They may have had a negative experience with an employee or have been scammed out of finances. In my position, it’s about making sure there is someone who is looking out for the consumer. I enjoy it because I get to see a very wide section of the banking industry.
LMK: What’s most challenging about what you do?
JH: Unfortunate situations where someone has been scammed and we are honestly at the mercy of a lot of systems or regulations put in place that prevent that person from getting their money back. There have been some real sob stories when all options have been exhausted and they still can’t get their money back.
LMK: After a day like that or any long day, how do you decompress?
JH: I like to consider myself a social person so I’m going to go out and have drinks with my friends. I love trying all the new restaurants that are popping up in Charlotte. I’ve been to Mariposa a few times. It’s an absolutely great brunch spot and every time I go the food and vibe is just right.
LMK: Let’s switch gears a bit. If you had a superpower, what would it be?
JH: Oooo. <Briefly pausing> I would want to be able to control the weather. I like the idea of always being able to control my [atmospheric] environment and creating storms when I’m feeling a little down.
LMK: Ok, serious question now. Corn flakes or fruit loops?
JH: <Without a moment’s hesitation> Fruit Loops, always, hands down, since I was kid. <Laughter>
LMK: A picnic or the beach?
JH: Hmmmm, why not a picnic on the beach?
LMK: If you’re reading during that picnic on the beach, what’s your preferred format? eBook or Hardcover?
JH: I am a recent eBook convert.
LMK: Before we conclude, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the future. How long, if ever, do you think it would take for Americans to experience a LGBTQ President?
JH: <Thoughtful pause> I want to be optimistic here, so after 2028, after Kamala’s presidency. Thinking that she’ll pick Pete Buttigieg as her V.P. he could likely be our first LGBTQ President [running and elected after President Harris].
LMK: With that in mind, can you wrap up with a few words of advice for the LGBTQ child who dreams of becoming president?
JH: I would tell that person to continue to live as authentically and as passionately as they can [and] in their true identity. An LGBTQ person is going to transform the office of the presidency by being just who they are.