Durham Councilman Leonardo Williams Declares Candidacy for Mayor

The campaign will kick off at the Black Wall Street historic marker on Parrish St. in Downtown Durham on Friday, July 21st at 12 pm. 

 From Leonardo Wiliams campaign staff

 DURHAM, NC -- is set to enter a transformative new era as Leonardo Williams, a small business owner, City Councilmember, and former Educator of the Year has officially announced his decision to run for Mayor.

 The announcement of Councilman Williams’ candidacy has already gained significant momentum, with an outpouring of support from community leaders and residents.

“I’m proud to announce that I am filing to run to be the next Mayor of Durham. Over the last several weeks, I have received many messages of encouragement. I thank you all for your support already.” Councilman Williams said. “I love Durham. This city has given me and my family so much. This campaign isn’t about me. It’s about what’s best for our city now and creating a legacy for the future. I understand there have been moments of uncertainty in our City Council, but behind the smoke screen, we have been able to achieve tremendous feats. We’ve made great progress in my time on the Council, and I

am proud to be consequential in that work. However, Durham’s next transformation is just beginning. As a city, we do face serious challenges, yet our opportunities are far greater. We need thoughtful solutions and actionable outcomes to tackle our challenges and seize our opportunities. I’m prepared to be your mayor, Durham. I’m running because I believe that together we can create the future that Durham deserves.”

About Councilman Leonardo Williams

Born in Hobgood, NC, Leo first came to Durham as a student at NC Central University where he met his now wife, Zweli. At NCCU, Leo was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest intercollegiate, historically African American fraternity. Additionally, Leo was actively involved in student government and a member of the renowned NCCU marching band while he pursued a degree in Music Education. 

After graduating, Leo became a public-school teacher in Durham where he led band programs, was honored as one of the youngest Teacher of the Year, and mentored dozens of aspiring young musicians. One of his formative experiences as a teacher was in his first year when he asked a class of 42 students how many had visited another state. Only three had. Leo saw an opportunity and a need. He organized a fundraising drive that raised enough money to take 32 students on a field trip to New York City. This experience solidified Leo’s belief that there is no better investment than giving young people opportunities to grow and expand their horizons. 

In 2008, he joined the board of the NC Foundation for Public School Children, where he was quickly asked to serve as executive director. In his capacity as executive director, he vastly expanded the budget, scope, and impact of the largest foundation supporting public school students in the state. In his capacity as executive director, Leo saw the challenges public school students face and worked with national, state, and local partners to provide the best possible education to all North Carolina public school students. Leo and Zweli embarked on a new challenge in 2018, opening the first Zweli’s restaurant location. Not only did Zweli’s succeed and then survive COVID-19, but they also now own three locations in Durham, one in Zimbabwe, and they employ more than sixty staff. Leo and Zweli are committed to not only paying a living wage but paying their team to a level that will allow them to thrive. Each full-time job they have created pays a minimum of $20 an hour, and they exclusively hire local artists to decorate their restaurants.

Leo knows the challenges that come with creating and running a business. When he decided to pursue a seat on the Durham City Council in 2021, there were no small business owners, a perspective that was sorely missed. Running as a true outsider, Leo ran a clean campaign focused on investing in Durham’s youth, ending gun violence, creating more economic opportunities, and increasing equity throughout the city. 

Since being elected to the Council, among his accomplishments, Leo has focused on a citywide apprenticeship program to enhance workforce development and address the 27,000 job vacancies in Durham, helping to bridge people to better wages and housing. He has led the Taskforce on Black Men and Boys to establish concrete recommendations on addressing gun violence. He has also passed a historic budget without raising taxes and supporting our first responders. His vision for the future of

Durham is shaped by (1) diverse housing options that allow for stable, safe, and affordable homes, (2) robust economic development initiatives, (3) an infrastructure that will support multimodal transit options and expanded connectivity, and (4) an environment that is built and sustained by us all. Leo and Zweli live in Ward 3 with their son, Izaiah, and their pup, Dovi!                                                                                                                                            

For updates about Leonardo Williams’ campaign and to join the mailing list please visit

www.leofordurham.com or follow him on: 

Facebook: LeoForDurham

Twitter: LeoForDurham

Instagram: LeoForDurham