Durham’s political influence, coupled with its vibrant faith communities, makes the city a key player in shaping North Carolina’s status as a purple state. 

Rev. Breana van Velzen, executive director of Durham Congregations in Action, said the people of Durham consistently support those in need, demonstrating their commitment through voting and various community initiatives. 

“Durham is a small town with big city power,” they said. 

“Every time you research Durham, you’ll find a congregation somewhere,” added van Velzen, reflecting on the city’s strong sense of community. As part of the Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA), van Velzen has played a crucial role in fulfilling the organization’s mission to engage diverse faith communities in building a beloved and inclusive community.

“We have brought people of entire Marxist churches and people on the complete other side to the same table to discuss how we can better our community,” van Velzen said. 

There is an underlying similarity among all of the differences: religion. 

Today, their office is located at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, near NC Highway 147, which now curves around where a white church stood during segregation—reflecting the influence of the church at the time, while the Black church was forced to relocate. 

This echoes the broader history of Durham, where the construction of the highway, part of the mid-20th century urban renewal efforts, disproportionately impacted Black communities, such as the historic Hayti district. The freeway not only displaced vibrant African American neighborhoods but also highlights the deep-rooted racial disparities within the city. 

The positioning of religious institutions during segregation and the reshaping of the city’s landscape illustrate how race and religion have been intertwined in Durham’s history, with these disparities continuing to shape its development.

Van Velzen’s experiences illustrate the intersection of religion and community, granting them access to spaces often closed to others, with faith as the key. The apparent differences in political views between them and Thom Tillis, an NC Senator, typically wouldn’t cause them to engage in conversation. Yet, to van Velzen’s surprise, religion provided the common ground for such a discussion.

“Thom Tillis, a former pastor, is influenced by clergy and supports the Farm Bill, advocating for expanded SNAP benefits in North Carolina,” they said. “He backs HBCU agricultural research and has persuaded other NC senators to support SNAP, promoting global food aid through local community efforts.”

While political differences remain, van Velzen attributed social justice issues, like those above, to present a unique opportunity to bridge gaps and foster dialogue. 

Carl Rist, Durham’s At-Large Council Member, shared how his church, First Presbyterian, has historically contributed to Durham. The church’s tagline, “Downtown by history and by choice,” refers to its decision in the 1960s to remain downtown rather than move to the suburbs.

Elected to his position at the end of 2023, Rist shared that his church community was the first to back him, offering to host campaign events. 

“The work First Presbyterian does—whether it’s through Habitat for Humanity builds, addressing climate change, and more—greatly influenced my platform centered around community needs,” he said. 

In the fall of 2023, Durham took a significant step towards addressing its affordable housing crisis by enacting the Simplifying Codes for Affordable Development (SCAD). 

“One of the new provisions of SCAD is that churches can build any number of units for anyone on their property, and offering affordable housing on church property could be a possible outcome of that for community members in need,” he said when asked what he hopes the future will entail regarding the intersection of the political and religious realms in Durham. 

Churches might refrain from specific partisan politics, but most congregations involve themselves in social justice issues with constant active involvement. 

Van Velzen and Rist also acknowledged the pivotal role of Rev. Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine of St. Joseph’s AME Church in Durham’s religious and political landscapes.

Dr. Augustine believes individuals are a product of their environment and has instilled this value throughout his life. 

“I pride myself on being a true egalitarian,” he said. 

Dr. Augustine felt called to ministry after serving as a decorated infantry officer in the United States Army and practicing law in his home state of Louisana. 

Since he answered that call, he has made a profound impact in the religious community, where he continues to address social justice issues—a passion central to his career. His journey reflects a deep commitment to faith and advocacy, using his platform to inspire meaningful change. 

“Jesus’ ministry was inherently political, advocating for justice and belonging in both spiritual and societal realms, though it was not tied to any partisan stance,” said Dr. Augustine. 

This distinction, explored in When Prophets Preach: Leadership and the Politics of the Pulpit by Dr. Augustine, emphasizes that being political—concerned with community affairs—differs from being partisan. “Today, some pastors may hesitate to engage politically, fearing misunderstandings, but their advocacy can be rooted in social issues rather than specific party lines,” said Dr. Augustine.

As Durham’s local leaders continue to drive change through faith-based initiatives and social justice efforts, the city’s influence is expanding beyond its borders. Mayor Leonardo Williams’ leadership, for instance, has attracted national attention, most notably with his recent speech at the Democratic National Convention. 

His vision for Durham, rooted in community engagement and progressive values, mirrors the work of leaders like van Velzen, Rist, and Dr. Augustine. Together, they are part of a larger movement where local faith and politics intersect to address national issues, influencing policies that resonate not only within North Carolina but across the country.

As the city continues to evolve, Durham’s role in shaping the upcoming election may prove pivotal, with its diverse coalition of faith leaders and political figures potentially delivering key electoral votes for the Democratic Party’s candidate, Kamala Harris. 

Dr. Augustine quoted Martin Luther King, Jr. to reflect the efforts of Durham’s political and religious leaders, “Any religion that professes to be concerned about the souls of men and is not concerned about the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them, is a dry-as-dust religion.”

Edited by Joe Macia & Katie Church