Charleta Bell Tavares is a committed public servant who has served as a member of Columbus City Council since 1999. She has successfully been elected to Council twice, with the most recent election occurring in November of 2003. Tavares’ state and national reputation as a leader in the areas of health and human services was instrumental in her appointment to serve as the Chair of Council’s Health, Housing and Human Services, and the Workforce Development Committees. In addition, she serves on the Finance, Development, Utilities, Rules and Reference, and Zoning Committees.

Prior to joining Council, Tavares left a legacy for the citizens of Ohio during her 5 ½ year tenure in the Ohio General Assembly as the State Representative in the 22nd House District.

Tavares was the first African-American female to serve in the state legislature from Franklin County and the first African-American woman ever to hold a leadership position in the Ohio General Assembly (Minority Whip).

Prior to her terms in the Legislature, she served as the Chief of the Children’s Protection Section in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. In this position, she played a leadership role in developing and advocating for policy and legislative initiatives to protect the health, safety, education and security of Ohio’s children. She also served four years as Associate Director of the Public Children Services Association of Ohio and as a Legislative Assistant and chief staff person to the Human Resources Subcommittee of the Ohio House Finance-Appropriations Committee.


Tavares is a founding member and former Vice President of the Columbus Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. She serves on the Executive Committees of the Franklin County and Ohio Democratic Party and served as a member of the 1988 Platform Committee and a delegate to the 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000 Democratic National Conventions.

Tavares is a graduate of Eastmoor High School and attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and The Ohio State University.

08.03.2007
Tavares Hosts Human Services Briefing 08/07/07
(COLUMBUS) -- Columbus City Council’s Health, Housing and Human Services Committee Chair Charleta B.  ... read more


07.30.2007
City Council And The John Glenn School of Public Affairs Announce New Internship Program
(COLUMBUS)—Columbus City Council’s Workforce Development Committee Chair Charleta B. Tavares is announcing a new partnership  ... read more


view all news & updates