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Manifesto/Bio
John’s life experiences are what set him apart from other candidates. He was raised in deep poverty, where food stamps and subsidized housing were the norm.
But with the help of family, and the support of excellent teachers, John made it to where he is now. He is a community leader, a young professional, and a single father. He is passionate about making a better world for his daughter, Annabelle. He works in the technology sector and does consulting work for nonprofits. He works with the leaders of small community groups, helping them find ways to operate more efficiently and to do more with less.
He is the son of a pastor and a civil rights activist. His mother defended the Wilmington 10. His father stood up for gay rights long before it was safe to do so in the South, especially as a pastor.
Through these influences, John learned the moral imperative that, as Dr. King said, "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Or, as the late Senator Paul Wellstone said:
“If we don’t fight hard enough for the things we stand for, at some point we have to recognize that we don’t really stand for them.”
Through his life experiences, John has learned that the deeply flawed system of poverty can't be ignored any longer. In a just Durham, we would do whatever it takes to save a failing school. In the vision of Durham we hold in our hearts, we would never let hundreds of our school children be homeless. We would never let a third of them live in poverty.
Over the last 12 years, John has fought for the causes in which he believes. His organizing experience includes work with United Campus Ministries (against university contracts with sweat ships). He was a founding board member of the campus arm of the Center for American Progress.
Turned out votes in '08 with Traction. Consultant with Planned Parenthood as they opened a new office and transitioned to a new technology system. Consulted with the Durham People’s Alliance as they went through their largest branding overhaul in their history.
Worked for the Educator’s Association, helping to elect seven Pro-Education state senators over two election cycles. And he worked for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, winning a pivotal Congressional election in 2004.
On the Durham County Board of Commissioners, John will add an important, innovative, creative, and passionate voice to the conversation.
He will work tirelessly, and fight as hard as he can fight, to make Durham County government a powerful force for good in the lives of its people.
Last updated on April 19, 2012 at 10:14 AM
