North Carolina
Shanetta Burris
City Council, Durham, North Carolina
Shanetta Burris is a North Carolina native. She was born in Gastonia, NC, and moved to the Triangle as a teenager attending Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough, NC. She has a deep affinity for family and community and is passionate about creating a fair system for all people. Shanetta is a double graduate of North Carolina Central University, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree and a Master of Public Administration. Embodying the spirit of service and scholarship, she is a proud member of the Alpha Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Elijah King
City Council, Durham, North Carolina
Hey, neighbor—I’m Elijah King, a lifelong Durham resident, community organizer, and the proud son of a single mother who worked harder than anyone I know. I experienced firsthand the struggle for housing stability, moving 11 times before I turned 18 and often relying on the generosity of others for a place to stay. My mother's resilience and love for this city, despite its challenges, shaped my commitment to fighting for a Durham where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Since 2023, I’ve served as the Third Vice Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, touring over a third of the state’s counties and building relationships with community leaders. No matter where I’ve traveled, one thing is clear—Durham is a beacon of progress. But keeping that progress going takes all of us, working together.
My experience spans organizing, policy, and electoral strategy. Locally, I co-founded the Durham Neighbors Free Lunch Initiative during the pandemic, raising thousands of dollars and partnering with small businesses to serve ≈60,000 meals to individuals experiencing homelessness, DPS families, and people struggling to get by. I also co-founded the Durham Youth Environmental Justice Initiative, engaging high school students in discussions on climate change through an equitable lens. I saw the difference one person can make in the lives of children and their families. I also saw that some issues were too large for one person, one family to tackle.
Beyond my organizing work, I’ve served on the boards of organizations like InsideOut (supporting LGBTQ+ youth), Made in Durham (focused on education-to-career pathways), and the NC AIDS Action Network. My advocacy has always centered on making sure no one is left behind. That’s the same energy I’m bringing to City Council.
Durham has long been a model for progress in North Carolina. Now, we must work together to ensure that progress continues for everyone.
Ohio
Rebecca Maurer
City Council, Cleveland, Ohio
Councilwoman Rebecca Maurer is a lawyer and a community activist. She got her start in politics fighting for a law that would protect Cleveland's children from lead poisoning. She was elected to Cleveland City Council in 2021, running on a platform of transparency and accountability in local government.
Now, Councilwoman Maurer is running for a second term on Council to serve today's Ward 5, which was established after the last round of redistricting. She's a proud resident of Ward 5, which covers Central, Downtown, Slavic Village, Midtown and Kinsman.
Mohammad Faraj
City Council, Cleveland, Ohio
Mohammad grew up in North Olmsted & graduated from Westlake High School. The eldest boy of seven children, he remembers weekly trips with his family to Nate’s Deli on West 25th after Friday prayer. These early visits rooted him in the heart of the new Ward 7.
Mohammad credits his parents’ sacrifices & relentless pursuit of a better life as the foundation for the opportunities him & his siblings received. His father, like countless other immigrants who left their homelands in search of stability & dignity, began a family business servicing small businesses throughout Cleveland & Northeast Ohio. Mohammad started working at the family business at ten, first as a delivery helper & then as a manager during college.
It was during those years that Mohammad developed a deep appreciation for the many dedicated neighbors & small businesses of the overall near-west community. He recalls the opening of the Walmart Supercenter in Steelyard Commons & the impact the chain’s presence had on the surrounding neighborhoods & Cleveland’s overall small business economy.
A graduate of CSU & Valparaiso University School of Law, Mohammad’s professional experience is rooted in accountability, oversight, and problem-solving. He previous worked as an enterprise risk manager, where he works to strengthen consumer protections & prevent financial crime in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency sector—a space where regulatory frameworks are still developing alongside new technologies.
Mohammad’s first bid for public office is accompanied by a professional & volunteer background based in holding powerful institutions accountable to the principles of community reinvestment, equity, & justice. He is not afraid of having difficult conversations & hopes to advocate for Cleveland’s Ward 7 residents through his lifelong commitment to accessibility, transparency, & courage.
Mohammad lives in Detroit-Shoreway with his mischievous cat Anter, or ‘Ant’ for short.
Ryan James
City Council, Cincinnati, Ohio
Ryan James is an Ohio native, passionate about local innovation and improving social outcomes for Cincinnatians –and he’s ready to make history.
As a Cincinnati City Council member, Ryan would be the youngest Black man ever elected; bringing a bold, forward-thinking perspective to the table. Ryan is no stranger to breaking barriers and is ready to fight for the future our city deserves. He knows Cincinnati can be the city of Opportunity, Access, and Trust.
Ryan lives this work and uses his lived experiences, career of service, and community focus to find solutions to our city’s greatest challenges each day.
Keegan Radeff
Director of Finance, North Olmsted, Ohio
As a candidate for Director of Finance for North Olmsted, I bring a strong background in financial management, public service, and leadership. With over a decade of experience in federal and special purpose government, I have developed the skills necessary to effectively manage and allocate resources to best serve our community.I served for six years in the Air National Guard, where I developed a disciplined, results-oriented approach to problem-solving and leadership. Following that, I began working as a public servant, honing my expertise as an accounting and auditing professional in complex financial compliance environments where precision and accountability are key. This experience has given me a deep understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance—critical to managing a city’s finances.In addition to my professional experience, I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM). These credentials reflect my commitment to excellence in financial management and governmental operations. I have a B.B.A. degree in accounting. Currently I am nearing the completion of an MBA degree, which has further expanded my knowledge in leadership, strategic decision-making, and financial planning.I live in North Olmsted with my wife, Amanda, and our 4-year-old daughter, Delilah. As a family, we are deeply invested in the future of this community. My commitment to our city is driven by the desire to create a secure and thriving environment for my family and all residents.If elected, my goal is to ensure North Olmsted’s financial health and sustainability, prioritize transparency in how funds are allocated, and maximize efficiency in delivering essential services to our residents. I’m committed to bringing a pragmatic and responsible approach to managing our city’s resources while ensuring residents' needs are met and that we are well-positioned for future growth.
South Carolina
