Durham City Council Appoints Pierce Freelon For Ward 3 Vacancy

Durham, NC – Monday morning (August 31), the Durham City Council voted 4-2 to appoint Pierce Freelon for the Ward 3 vacancy. The vacancy was created when former City Council Member Vernetta Alston resigned to accept an appointment to the North Carolina House of Representatives to complete the term of the late NC State Representative MaryAnn Black. The Ward 3 term expires in November 2021.

Freelon will be sworn-in later this week during a socially-distanced ceremony at City Hall and will take his seat on the City Council for his first meeting on Tuesday, September 8, which is their next regular business meeting.

“Among an exceptionally strong field of candidates, Pierce Freelon emerged as the Council’s choice because he is generous, brave, straightforward, incredibly knowledgeable on the issues that face us, and a powerful voice for the new generation of Durham residents who are taking on the mantle of leadership in our city now,” said Mayor Steve Schewel. “Pierce is a passionate champion of Durham. His connection to the young people he mentors is amazing. His work on behalf of our artists is exemplary. His voice in defense of Black Lives is powerful and necessary. He will be a great colleague and public servant.”

When asked on the Durham City Council Ward 3 Vacancy questionnaire ‘Why do you want to serve on City Council and what strengths would you bring to Council?’ Freelon replied, “I want to serve on City Council because Durham is at a crucial crossroads and we need home-grown, progressive, Millennial leadership! COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequity. In recent years, countless people have been displaced, poverty has been on the rise, and our communities have been radically re-shaped by gentrification. Young African Americans have been disproportionately impacted by poverty, joblessness, and violence as a result of these changes, yet we don’t have representation on City Council. I’m stepping up to ensure that we have a seat at the table, and to serve the city that has nurtured and shaped me.”

To learn more about Freelon’s background, visit https://durhamnc.gov/4030/Ward-3-Vacancy-Application to read his responses on his application and questionnaire.

Feature photo via Facebook