LEKESA "KESHA" WHITNER
FOR SPARTANBURG COUNTY COUNCIL CHAIR
ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Lekesa "Kesha" Whitner
WHERE LEKESA COMES FROM
Lekesa Paulette Whitner-born Lekesa Paulette Miller, was raised in Little Africa, SC. Her family resided in Inman, SC until she was 11, at which time Lekesa became a resident of the City of Spartanburg. At an early age she was exposed to public service and it became a critical part of Lekesa life. This was the beginning of Lekesa’s life work. Other civil servants spawn a desire in Lekesa. The neighborhood members came together to provide for Lekesa's family. Lekesa grew up with her 3 sisters and her parents Johnny Lee Miller (deceased) and Pauline Jones as a long-term resident of Spartanburg County and City. Mrs. Whitner has seen the changes and the economic development in the city. Lekesa has lived in both Spartanburg County and City for over 49 years. She currently resides in the City of Spartanburg with her loving husband Ray Whitner and her beautiful daughter. Lekesa has been a member of Vision of Faith Christian Ministry for more than 10 years where she serves as the Pastors’ administrative assistant, 5 fold ministry leader, prophetess, and youth teacher.
LEKESA'S CONTRIBUTIONS
Lekesa continues to work tirelessly throughout the Spartanburg community to serve in any capacity that she can. She has spent the last few years of her life working throughout the community as a resource to many for upward mobility.
LEKESA'S EDUCATION AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE
LeKesa Whitner – Community Service & Leadership Highlights
• Appointed as City of Spartanburg Planning Commissioner (July 2020–March 2026), contributing to land use policy, zoning decisions, and long-range planning for sustainable growth
• Advisory Committee Member, Spartanburg Housing FSS Program (April 2020–2023), supporting pathways to economic mobility for residents
• Advisory Board Member, South Carolina Community Loan Fund (NMTC Program) (January 2021–present), advancing community investment strategies through New Market Tax Credits
• Advisory Board Member, YMCA of Greater Spartanburg (August 2020–2022), supporting youth development, health equity, and wellness initiatives
• Former President and Board Chair, Forrester Center for Behavioral Health (August 2015–October 2023), providing executive leadership and strategic direction for behavioral health and substance use services
• Advisory Board Member, OneSpartanburg Inc. (formerly Spartanburg Chamber) (November 2017–2022), contributing to regional economic development and strategic planning
• Contributor, OneSpartanburg Vision Plan Advisory (2026)
• Advisory Board Member, Upstate Fatherhood Coalition (2018–2020), supporting initiatives focused on father engagement and family stability
• Leadership roles with South Carolina Business and Professional Women (BPWSC):• President (2019–2020) • President-Elect (2018–2019)
• Member, Spartanburg County Foundation Women Giving Circle (2018–2019), supporting collective philanthropy and community investment
• Volunteer, Save the Children Action Network (2020 - 2024), advocating for policies that support children and families. • Advisory roles with University of South Carolina Upstate
• Dean Advisory Board (2017 - 2018)• College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences Community Advisory Board (2025–present)
• Founder of Children and Choices (est. 2012), a 501(c)(3) focused on youth empowerment, family support, and resource access
• Alumni Member, AmeriCorps (2011–2013), contributing to community-based service and capacity-building initiatives
• Graduate of Spartanburg County Citizen Academy (Class of 2012), with foundational training in public systems and civic leadership
• Graduate of Grassroots Leadership Development Institute (Class of 2012), focused on advocacy and leadership development
If you Build
the People,
you Grow
the Community®
Lekesa's Platform
“Smart Growth. Strong Communities. Sustainable Future.”
“Smart Growth. Strong Communities. Sustainable Future.”
1. Responsible Economic Development & FILOT Accountability
• Ensure all Fee-In-Lieu of Tax (FILOT) agreements deliver real value to residents, not just corporations.
• Require clear community benefit standards for companies receiving tax incentives:
• Local job creation with livable wages
• Workforce development partnerships with local institutions
• Small business inclusion and supplier diversity
• Increase transparency and public reporting on all FILOT agreements so residents understand:
• What incentives are given
• What outcomes are promised
• Whether companies are meeting commitments
• Advocate for performance-based incentives—no long-term tax breaks without measurable results.
Smart Growth That Benefits Communities
• Prioritize development that aligns with community needs, not just outside investment.
• Support balanced growth that includes:
• Affordable housing
• Infrastructure improvements
• Preservation of green space
• Ensure residents have a voice in major development decisions.
Youth Investment & Workforce Pipeline
• Create a County Youth Opportunity Initiative focused on:
• Paid internships and apprenticeships (BRUH Mentor and Youth Justice Institute)
• Entrepreneurship programs (leveraging models like Start:ME & PowerUp)
• Career pathways in high-demand industries (tech, healthcare, skilled trades)
• Partner with schools, nonprofits, and businesses to build a “school-to-career pipeline.”
• Expand safe spaces, mentorship programs, and after-school opportunities to keep youth engaged and supported.
• Advocate for summer job programs that give young people real work experience and income.
Water Protection & Opposition to High-Impact Data Centers
LeKesa Whitner stands firmly opposed to the development of large-scale, water-intensive data centers in our county due to their long-term impact on our natural resources and infrastructure.
• Data centers can consume hundreds of thousands to millions of gallons of water daily, placing significant strain on local water systems.
• With total U.S. data center water usage reaching hundreds of billions of gallons annually, this level of consumption is not sustainable for our community.
• These facilities often receive tax incentives through FILOT agreements while providing limited long-term job creation compared to their environmental impact.
Our Commitment:
• No approval of large-scale data centers that threaten our water supply.
• Require strict environmental and water usage reviews for any high-consumption industry.
• Prioritize economic development projects that create jobs without depleting natural resources.
• Protect residents, farmers, and future generations from overuse and depletion of our water systems.