DeDreana Freeman

DeDreana Irene Freeman is an American politician, civic leader, and non-profit executive. She was elected to serve on the Durham City Council in 2017 and was re-elected to the council in 2021. Freeman also serves as the Director of Thread Capital and the Director of Paternship Development at CornerSquare Community Capital of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center. She is active in the National League of Cities, as part of the Transportation and Infrastructure Federal Adovacy Program, and served on the League's Racial Equity and Leadership Council. Freeman served as president of the North Carolina League of Cities' Women in Municipal Government Committee. An Episcopalian, she co-founded Episcopalians United Against Racism and the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina's Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee, the latter of which she has served as co-chair since 2016.

DeDreana Freeman
Durham City Councilwoman
Assumed office
December 4, 2017
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseAntoine B. Freeman
Children3
Alma materRutgers University (BA)
North Carolina Central University (MA)
Occupationpolitician
non-profit executive
Websitededreanafreeman.com

In March 2023, Freeman reportedly attempted to attack Durham Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton after accusing him of bullying black women following allegations of extortion that were made against Councilwoman Monique Holsey-Hyman. Freeman was physically restrained by Durham Mayor Elaine O'Neal and Councilman Leonoardo Williams, whom she punched while reaching for Middleton.

Early life and education

Freeman was raised in a single-parent household and, as the oldest of six children, helped raise her siblings.[1] One of her younger sisters has severe developmental and physical disabilities.[1] She is a great-granddaughter of Carrie Elizabeth Smith.[1] She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and media studies from Rutgers University and a Master of Arts degree in public administration from North Carolina Central University.[2]

Career

Freeman is the Director of Partnership Development, CornerSquare Community Capital of the NC Rural Economic Development Center and the Director of Thread Capital.[2]

Politics

In 2016, Freeman was appointed to the State Executive Board of the North Carolina Democratic Party.[2]

She was elected to represent Ward 1 on the Durham City Council in 2017.[2][3] Freeman was reelected in 2021 for a second term, due to expire in 2025.[2] She was appointed by the mayor to serve on the Council Subcommittee on Housing, the Workforce Development Board, the Triangle J Council of Governments, the Northeast Central Durham Subcommittee, the Joint City-County Planning Committee, the Joint City-County Committee, the Environmental Affairs Board, the Carolina Theatre Board of Directors, and the Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities.[2] Freeman was also appointed by the mayor to serve as an alternate on the Audit Services Oversight Committee, the Durham County Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, and the Gang Reduction Steering Committee.[2]

On February 6, 2023, Freeman and Durham Mayor Elaine O'Neal voted against the annexation of twenty-four parcels of land in Southeast Durham for a housing development.[4] In a 5-2 decision, the council voted to annex Mockingbird Lane and Sherron Road for the construction of up to 545 townhouses.[4] In a second vote, Councilwoman Monique Holsey-Hyman joined Freeman and O'Neal in voting against the proposal.[4]

On March 23, 2023, Freeman defended Councilwoman Holsey-Hyman as she faced allegations of extortion, and accused Durham Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton of bullying black women.[5] After a council meeting regarding the allegations, Freeman and Middleton argued in a room outside the council chamber, where Freeman was heard yelling expletives at him.[5] According to Indy Week, Freeman punched O'Neal and Councilman Leonardo Williams, who were restraining her, in an attempt to punch Middleton.[5][6]

Community advocacy and civic leadership

Freeman has been active in the National League of Cities as part of their Transportation and Infrastructure Federal Advocacy program and served on the League's Racial Equity and Leadership Council.[2] She previously served as the president of the North Carolina League of Cities' Women in Municipal Government committee.[2]

She is involved in other community organizations including the Durham Early Childhood Action Steering Committee and is the organizer and a coordinating committee member of Organizing Against Racism Durham.[2]

Personal life

She and her family live in the Golden Belt Historic District.[1]

Freeman, who is Episcopalian, is a co-founder and core team leader of Episcopalians United Against Racism and a co-founder of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina's Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee, where she has served as co-chair since 2016.[1][2]

In 2015, Freeman became a member of the Orange and Durham Counties Chapter of the Junior League.[1]

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "October 11, 2017 by Duke Chronicle - Issuu". issuu.com. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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