After eight years as a Durham City Council member, DeDreanna Freeman still feels there is work to be done.

First elected in 2017 to represent Ward 1, Freeman has centered her campaign around social, economic and environmental equity. From continuing to develop opportunities for Durham youth to advocating for affordable housing that truly serves all residents, Freeman has worked to ensure the city’s rapid progress doesn’t leave its longtime communities behind.

Her platform has earned her the endorsement of the Sierra Club, which cited her commitment to environmental equity and sustainable development.

“Trying to see things through really drives me to put my name on the ballot again,” said Freeman.

Freeman first became involved in politics during the 2008 presidential election, when she volunteered with the political group Durham for Obama. Through her work with the group, she learned more about local politics and the pressing issues her neighbors were facing.

“Trying to tackle those issues and find solutions drew me into city council chambers on a regular basis,” said Freeman.

But it wasn’t until 2014 that Freeman began to consider running for office herself. She saw the need for leadership that understood the intersections of economics, environment and culture in Durham’s growth. Equipped with a master’s degree in public administration from North Carolina Central University, Freeman entered the 2017 City Council race with a focus on building a city that worked for everyone.

Since taking office, Freeman has focused on making Durham’s growth more equitable and sustainable.

She said one of her biggest accomplishments has been creating opportunities for Durham’s youth. Early on, Freeman pushed for more summer jobs and internship programs, partnering with local businesses to expand the city’s opportunities for youth. By focusing on youth-led engagement, Freeman said she has watched Durham youth step up and take initiative on their futures.

Freeman is also an advocate for affordable housing. She continuously supports projects that prioritize improvement of the present infrastructure, such as along Fayetteville Street in Durham. Her housing policy prioritizes meeting residents and communities where they’re at and finding ways to support them, rather than promoting new construction.

Beyond housing and infrastructure, Freeman has worked to address the “social determinants of health,” such as poverty and food insecurity, pointing to those factors as the drivers behind crime.

“When you address poverty—when less people are at the margins and they have secure housing, secure food, access to resources and opportunities—you’re less likely to have criminal activity occurring in your city,” said Freeman.

That focus on equity and community well-being informs how Freeman votes on the city council.

The council is often divided four-to-three, with Freeman usually voting in line with Nate Baker and Chelsea Cook, the Ward representative. While Freeman says she does not begrudge the members of council who “see things differently,” the split is not unknown to community members. James Chavis Jr., a longtime Durham resident and activist, said he sees Freeman as one of the few council members who keeps her ward members informed.

“If you’re out here to help people, you need to understand who you’re helping,” said Chavis. “The needy or the greedy. DeDreanna has been a prime person trying to look out for the needy.”

Ryan Wang, president of Durham Progressive Democrats and City Workers’ Rights commissioner, said the city’s current challenges make equity-focused leadership especially important.

Many cities in America, including Durham, now face challenges regarding affordability, gentrification, transportation and public safety. Wang said that it often falls on working-class residents to shoulder the costs of these challenges while institutions and real estate developers wield growing influence over council decisions.

He added that while developers and institutions are vital to the city’s success, they must “prioritize the human impact over profits.”

“DeDreana truly represents what it means to be a community leader, with a pulse on what residents actually want in the city,” said Wang.

For Freeman, her connection to Durham is what pushes her to keep fighting for that balance.

“This is the city that made me the leader I am,” she said. “I love that the city is very alive and gritty. People don’t just talk about the problems or the issues, they actually roll up their sleeves and do something about it.”

As she seeks another term, Freeman hopes to continue rolling up her sleeves alongside Durham residents, working to ensure Durham’s growth remains inclusive and steady for the people who call it home.

Freeman will be hosting a watch party for the election with Chelsea Cook and Shanetta Burris on Tuesday, November 4.