Durham City Councilwoman DeDreana Freeman files for mayor with a goal of moving past "the drama"

DURHAM, NC, July 19, 2023 - Durham City Council representative of Ward 1, DeDreana Freeman, steps forward to announce candidacy for Mayor of Durham on July 18, 2023.

“I am proudly running to represent the people of Durham, a city I’ve grown to love and my family calls home,” said Freeman. “As Durham’s mayor, I would engage in more dialogue and guide efforts towards ‘working families’ and populations of youth and seniors who don’t get a fair shake. I hope that the people will continue to have faith this coming November. Their support of me as mayor would be tremendous in fueling efforts that have just begun.”

DeDreana Freeman is a non-profit leader with over 20 years of experience in North Carolina and presently serves as the Director of Partnership Development for CornerSquare Community Capital, a subsidiary of the North Carolina Rural Center. Freeman leads outreach and engagement efforts in 17 states, including Washington, DC in support of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) to increase community investments through small businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Since joining CornerSquare in 2022, DeDreana has successfully built a network of strategic partners, fostering trust and collaboration with key stakeholders. Prior to that, she served as the Special Assistant to the President of Durham Children's Initiative, for which she has spearheaded plans to support families and their children from birth to college and/or career.

"During her six and a half years on the city council, Freeman has been a formidable advocate for the residents of Durham. She consistently works to address social, economic, and environmental justice issues that often plague marginalized communities," states a press release to Rev-elution. "With proven leadership and dedication to creating a more equitable and inclusive Durham, DeDreana Freeman is the ideal candidate to lead the city forward."

Freeman enters the race after enduring public tension with some of her peers on the city council.

“It would be so simple to just fade into the background; however, I am committed to the work ahead and had to move past all the drama to be the person my mother, daughter and sons need me to be,” said Freeman. “My family loves Durham and serving means doing what’s in the best interest of Durham at all times.

For details or additional information regarding her campaign, visit dedreanafreeman.com.