It has been a pleasure to work with Mayor Elaine O’Neal, my colleagues on the City Council, and community stakeholders to address Durham’s residents’ concerns at the micro (individual), mezzo (groups), and macro (large organizations) levels. Over the past ten months, I have proven to be a team player who actively listens, advocates, and votes with integrity. Working behind the scenes, before being
appointed to City Council, I advocated and voted on budgets affecting Durham's residents and communities from all economic levels. I place the residents in the forefront of all of my decisions as it is essential to remember the voices of residents and communities from all areas in the City of Durham. People often ask, "Where did she come from?" I came from humble beginnings from the South Bronx of New York. My mother raised four daughters while living in public housing and receiving public assistance. At the early age of ten, I learned to be a community voice, accompanying my mother to several community and school board meetings in District 8 of the South Bronx of New York. This exposure to community advocacy as a child created a social worker with over twenty-five years of experience in mental health, grassroots community development, child welfare, health care, and advocacy. That social worker is me, Dr. Monique Holsey-Hyman, your Durham City Council Member At-Large. I moved to Durham, North Carolina, in 2006 and began volunteering in the community to make a difference for all residents. I was appointed and served on many boards and committees including the Durham Mental Health Board, Alliance Behavioral Health Board, Citizen Advisory Board, and Durham Social Service Board, where I am currently the Vice President. Why am I running to keep my seat on the Durham City Council? I am running to promote the agenda of Durham’s residents for safer communities through innovative strategies addressing public safety and the Durham Community Safety Department’s HEART (Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams) program, tackling gun violence as a community issue, advocating for sustainable and affordable housing, promoting a green and equitable Durham by supporting plans that enforce growth without creating displacement of current Durham residents and protects the environment and natural resources in our city and county, and through my passion for mentoring youth, developing evidence-based approaches to enhance community safety through youth mentoring programs. Helping me to keep my seat on the Durham City Council permits me to continue my diligent efforts to “knock-down” barriers using solution – focused strategies for the City of Durham - "One Bull: One Impact.” I will continue to collaborate with residents, other community stakeholders, the Mayor, City Council members, City staff, County Commissioners, Durham Public School Board of Education, and state and federal elected officials to address obstacles that affect our city. Given the opportunity, over the next four years, we will work together to enhance Durham for everyone. I have heard residents' concerns over the last ten months and if you work with me to keep my seat by supporting my campaign through making donations and joining my team, I will work diligently to “knock-down” obstacles. Durham needs, Dr. Monique Holsey- Hyman's, "One Bull: One Impact” solution in collaboration with ALL stakeholders on every level to “knock down” the barriers and obstacles that impact the residents of Durham- “One Bull: One Impact.”
Bull City Strong, United, and Focused,
Dr. Monique Holsey- Hyman, Durham City Council (Incumbent)
