Jennifer Mincey Stepp is a lifelong resident of Gastonia and a 1982 honor graduate of Hunter Huss High School. She received a B.S. degree from Gardner Webb University in Elementary Education graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1986. She taught in Gaston County Schools as well as Gaston Christian School. After leaving the classroom she tutored and taught at co-ops. She was a summer program coordinator and facilitator for the City of Gastonia’s Recreation Department. She also coached girls’ basketball and softball teams. She served as Minister of Music at Temple Baptist Church (Kings Mtn.) and Assistant Minister of Music, Youth Choir Director, and Children’s Choir Director at Calvary Baptist Church (Gastonia) where she served as a church media specialist for several years as well.
Jennifer has been involved in the community serving with many non-profit organizations for many years. She is a community arts advocate and enthusiast. She spent many years as a gymnastics mom, dance mom, and theater mom. She is still involved in the theater but is usually in a backstage role now.
Jennifer has been married to Kevin Stepp for 36 years and they have 5 children: Lauren, Patrick, Blair, Joseph, and Julia. They also have 3 grandchildren: Ariana, Roen. And Emerson. Jennifer and her family are members of First ARP Church in Gastonia.
City Council Service
- Arts Committee (Chair)
- Awards, Ceremonies, and Promotions Committee
- Central City Revitalization and Housing Committee
- Facilities / Management Committee
- Inter-Government Relations and Economic Development Committee
- Personnel Committee (Chair)
- Public Safety Committee
- Transportation Committee (Chair)
- Gaston-Cleveland-Lincoln Metropolitan Planning Organization
- Centralina Council of Government (Executive Committee)
- North Carolina League of Municipalities Legislative Policy Committee
Organizations and Affiliations
- Alpha Chi
- Who’s Who (High School, College, Professional Women)
- Gaston County Board of Elections (Precinct Judge)
- Gastonia Historic District Commission (Chair)
- Gaston County Family Advisory Board (Chair)
- Gaston-Lincoln-Cleveland Continuum of Care Planning Board
- Little Theater of Gastonia Board of Directors (President)
- Ridgeview Charter School Board of Directors
- Braver Angels (Local Organizer, National Advisory Board, Music Committee, Political Initiatives Co-Chair, 2020 National Convention Co-Chair)
- The Carter Center Trusted Elections Initiative Advisory Board
- North Carolina Network for Fair, Safe, and Secure Elections
- Hope to Home Leadership Team
- Doves Women’s Ministry
- Gaston County Schools Mentor and Reading Soulmate
- Meals on Wheels
- Habitat for Humanity's Women Build
- Caromont Health's Women Optimizing Wellness
- The Hunt Institute Policy Fellow
