DeDreana Freeman, candidate for Durham City Council, Ward 1

Three candidates are running for the Durham City Council Ward 1 seat.

Incumbent DeDreana Freeman faces Waldo Fenner and Marion Johnson. A fourth candidate, Elizabeth Takla, will appear on the ballot but has withdrawn from the race.

Early voting in the non-partisan Oct 5 primary begins Sept. 16 and runs through Oct. 2. The top two finishers will face each other in the Nov. 2 general election.

To find polling places and full details on early voting, visit www.dcovotes.com or contact the Board of Elections at 919-560-0700 or elections@dconc.gov

Name: DeDreana Freeman (incumbent)

Age: 43

Residence: Durham

Occupation: Nonprofit administrator, Durham City Council member

Education: Master of Public Administration, NCCU

Political or civic experience: My broad base of experience in grassroots community-led organizing includes work within my neighborhood, the city, county and state. It also includes organizing work inside of the Democratic Party and in my faith community, as I co-founded Episcopalians United Against Racism. In addition: City Council Appointed Committees Carolina Theater, Triangle J Center of the Region Enterprise Durham Open Space & Trails Commission Environmental Affairs Board Joint City/County Committee Jordan Lake One Water Alliance Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities Northeast Central Durham Subcommittee (Chair) Workforce Development Board Elected/Appointed Positions Democratic National Convention Delegate 2020 N.C. Democratic Party State Executive Committee (SEC) 2016-present N.C. Democratic Party, Convention Delegate 2014-present National League of Cities (NLC) Transportation & Infrastructure, Federal Advocacy, Racial Equity Committees National League of Cities Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) Council North Carolina League of Cities - Women In Municipal Government, President Other Community Involvement North Carolina Director, Our Black Party (2021-present) Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee, Co-Chair (2016 - present) Episcopalians United Against Racism, Co-Founder/Core Team Leader Organizing Against Racism (OAR) Durham, Coordinating Committee/Organizer Inter-Neighborhood Council of Durham 2012 Neighborhood Hero Subcommittees included: Transportation, Zoning and Traffic (2009-2017); President (2015-2017) Partnership Effort for the Advancement of Children’s Health (PEACH), Steering Committee/Consultant/Volunteer/Trainer (2010-2013) City of Durham-Community Capital Improvement Plan Committee Northeast Central Durham Leadership Council (2014-2017); Chair (2015-2017) Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties In short, I have been engaged from the ground all the way up in this community since I moved to Durham in 2007. I have served in several leadership roles, and I continue to serve on boards, committees and commissions at the local, state and national levels.

Campaign website: www.DeDreanaFreeman.com

What is the city doing right, and wrong, on gun violence?

The City of Durham continues to get diversity and inclusion right, pressing on issues of housing, wealth and community health and safety collaboratively with the county. However, the City of Durham has yet to get the Equity aspect right, even with the Racial Equity Task Force Recommendations. Checking the box is not enough.

In addressing gun violence, we have to take a dual approach in supporting intervention and prevention. We have to use all the tools available to keep the people of our city safe. We must continue investing in the violence interrupters program with community accountability.

We must also address poverty and the harms of racism in the long view by addressing income inequality. I support the basic income program of my colleagues, and I would like to see us move towards a universal basic income model for youth to develop their workforce skills in a fellowship supported by local, corporate and small business partners.

If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?

When I first ran for office, I focused on the intersectionality of social, economic and environmental justice. My priorities centered around working toward an equitable Durham, where everyone can safely live, work, and play. We still have more work to do. The issues confronting the City and County are interrelated. From gun violence to housing to racism as a public health crisis, we have to tackle all of the issues in tandem while understanding how moving resources or support will impact another area. Equity must be at the foundation of what we do because what we see in the challenges that people face is a result of inequity.

My priorities are to address:

▪ Community Health and Safety

▪ Environmental Justice

▪ Environmental Stewardship

▪ Jobs and Economic Growth

▪ Transportation and Sustainable Housing

What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?

There are many skills and areas of expertise that I hold, including my last three and half years on the Durham City Council. I serve on boards, committees and commissions at the local, state and national levels. Serving in office during a pandemic and racial and social unrest has given me a different perspective on city governance and the city’s role in our community.

Before serving on the council, I spent four years on the Durham City/County Planning Commission with over a decade of community leadership in neighborhood and community organizations. I understand the critical immediate needs of those living in material poverty because I have the lived experience myself. Over the years, I have consistently worked to bring everyone around the table to develop solutions that work for more stakeholders. When quick fixes are brought forward, I push for an in-depth study of the data and metrics to measure accountability before shifting tax dollars in the city’s budget.

I remain uniquely prepared to make critical decisions that impact long-term growth and sustainability in the city. Much like I did on the Planning Commission, I take a community-centered approach to decision-making. Equity and inclusion are more than words on paper. I speak to the importance of community engagement, especially for low-wealth communities, renters, and historically marginalized communities that are most impacted by City Council decisions.

As a staff member for Durham Children’s Initiative, I uniquely play a part in supporting children and families fighting the market forces that attempt to push them out of Durham. I have watched the city grow over the top of our families, and I take pride in trying to find creative ways to support them. I understand what love looks like in the community as a collaborative thought partner and committed community leader. My experience with supports like subsidies and social programs, which provide temporary, and sometimes long-term food assistance, health insurance, housing, and unemployment, help me in this role.

I also understand how systemic and institutional inequalities divide our community. I am committed to creating opportunities for economic advancement. I am committed to seeing the people of Durham strengthened with the alleviation of the consequence of social injustice.

This story was originally published September 14, 2021 at 7:04 PM with the headline "DeDreana Freeman, candidate for Durham City Council, Ward 1."