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Council Member DeDreana Freeman Announces Candidacy for NC State Senate: A Campaign for Justice, Equity, and Our Collective Humanity DURHAM, N.C.— 

DURHAM, December 19th, 2025 -- Council Member DeDreana Freeman Announces Candidacy for NC State Senate: A Campaign for Justice, Equity, and Our Collective Humanity DURHAM, N.C.— Today, former Durham City Council Member DeDreana Freeman is announcing her candidacy for the NC State Senate, District 22. With eight years of service on the Durham City Council, Freeman has been a tireless advocate for justice, equity, and the collective well-being of her community. Her work is rooted in the belief that true progress is measured not only by economic growth, but by how well we uplift and support the most vulnerable among us.

Raised by a single mother with five of her nine siblings, Freeman understands the realities of racial and income inequality firsthand. Her upbringing has fueled a lifelong commitment to fighting for a society where every person, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive. From childhood, Freeman accompanied her mother to community meetings, learning early on that change begins with a collective vision grounded in shared humanity.

Freeman’s advocacy spans from local community organizing to state and national efforts. As a leader, she has dedicated herself to advancing racial equity, workforce development, environmental justice, and worker protections with people at the center of every policy decision. Her work has focused on the intersections of systemic oppression and the urgent need to create pathways for economic mobility, community health, and sustainable living.

Her accomplishments in Durham are a testament to her commitment to justice for all people, including:

• Championing inclusion: Freeman played a central role in keeping equity at the forefront of city policy conversations, including language access, the creation of the Equitable Engagement Blueprint, the Racial Equity Committee, and the hiring of a Racial Equity Manager for the Office of Equity & Inclusion. 

• Supporting small businesses and economic justice: Freeman helped develop a streamlined model within the Office of Economic & Workforce Development to provide critical support to small businesses, ensuring resources are equitably distributed and accessible to those who need them most. 

• Protecting the environment: Freeman has been a strong advocate for environmental justice, implementing policies that protect local watersheds, promote clean energy, and reduce the community’s carbon footprint. Her leadership also includes supporting cost-share programs to clean up water sources and championing community-rooted efforts to protect Durham’s natural resources. 

• Promoting community health and safety: Freeman worked alongside community,  university and research partners to develop and expand new response models for 911 calls for service, collaborating with community members to identify additional approaches to public safety, and managing and evaluating existing contracts and external partnerships intended to advance public safety.

Investing in infrastructure: Freeman has been instrumental in directing funding for critical infrastructure projects, including bus stops, sidewalks, sewer and water line replacements and road resurfacing, ensuring that all communities have the resources they need to thrive.

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