Biographical Statement

Anjanée Bell is a lifelong Durham resident, educator, artist, entrepreneur, and public servant whose career has spanned classrooms, stages, and government. She served as Director of Dance and Outreach for the North Carolina Arts Council and as Director of Arts in the Parks for NC State Parks and Recreation, leading statewide initiatives that brought arts, equity, and community to public life. She has taught in Durham public, private, and charter schools and founded Bellan Contemporary Dance Theatre, advancing work at the intersection of education, the arts, and community.

Her lived experiences in Spain and Mexico deepened her commitment to inclusion and broadened her perspective as a leader. Her leadership in city and state government has given her direct experience with how policy decisions in housing, transit, natural resources, and community development shape people’s daily lives. As the daughter of William V. “Bill” Bell, Durham’s longest-serving mayor, Anjanée brings a unique perspective on how local government works. However, this is  Anjanée’s campaign, not her father’s. She stands firmly on her own merits, with a bold vision to restore leadership, strengthen neighborhoods, expand opportunity, and build a better Durham—for everyone.

Are the issues of equity, gentrification, and displacement appropriately addressed in Durham’s Comprehensive Plan? What changes do you think should be made in these documents?

There are issues of equity, gentrification, and displacement that should be appropriately addressed in Durham’s Comprehensive Plan. As written, the plan does not provide any metrics to measure achievements. Growth in some areas has too often outpaced justice and need. Equity itself cannot be an afterthought; in Durham it should be factored into every land-use decision.

My experience in city and state government has shown me how policy directly impacts families. The Plan must define affordability by what Durham residents can actually afford, using tools like residual income and the Housing + Transportation Index. The Plan should require annual updates on how many Durham families are meeting AMI standards, and must outline strategies to expand housing opportunities for those who are not.

True revitalization must honor cultural memory. Durham is not a blank canvas. It is a living city. Public engagement must move from token consultation to co-creation. A real Comprehensive Plan uplifts legacy communities, protects identity, and expands opportunity without forced exits. Anything less is not progress. It is a failure of imagination.

Is the city’s response to the problem of unsheltered residents adequate? What, if anything, should the city do to address the problem?

The city’s response to unsheltered residents is not, by itself, adequate. It should find ways to work collaboratively with the Durham County Commissioners to address unsheltered residents in our City and County. Too many residents remain on the streets while temporary measures are called progress. Emergency shelter is necessary, but it is not a solution. No city should face homelessness alone. We must demand coordinated commitments across the Triangle and North Carolina, while ensuring Durham residents are not displaced into homelessness by rising costs or eviction. True leadership means raising the standard, not lowering our commitment.

Durham must move from short-term fixes to long-term stability. That means expanding deeply affordable housing tied to what people can actually afford. It means investing in supportive housing with mental health and recovery services. It means creating pathways for reentry, workforce development, and housing-first models that anchor people in place instead of cycling them through crisis.

Our residents deserve more than tents and temporary beds. The measure of a city is how it treats its most vulnerable.

Who benefits most and who is most burdened by the proposed new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)? What changes, if any, or critical errors should be fixed before it is approved?

The proposed UDO, as written, in my opinion, primarily benefits developers who can move quickly, while the burden falls on renters, legacy homeowners, and neighborhoods most at risk of displacement. Equity is named in the draft but not enforced.

As Mayor, if the UDO is finally adopted, I will insist that Council focus on rezonings and development that meet clear standards of equity, environmental stewardship, and community benefit. At a minimum, three urgent corrections must be embedded in the UDO before it is approved:

1. Enforced affordability tied to a given prior percentage of affordability, determined by the Council and County of Durham, for residents who may wish to live in the resulting development.

2. Embed anti-displacement standards that protect legacy residents.

3. Guarantee meaningful community engagement that is transparent and open to those who wish to participate in a timely manner.

Durham has begun piloting equity review tools within departments, but these are not yet required for major development decisions. I will make equity impact reviews mandatory for rezonings and large projects. These reviews assess who benefits, who is burdened, and how proposals affect renters, seniors, immigrants, and low-income families. Developers must demonstrate how projects will reduce displacement, protect legacy residents, deliver real affordability, safeguard natural resources, and honor community identity—with measurable commitments that can be enforced.

Durham must also strengthen environmental protections, including stormwater controls and habitat safeguards, to ensure that growth does not damage sensitive land or natural resources. Community voices must be central, not symbolic: early outreach before applications are filed, translation and childcare at meetings, and public dashboards tracking commitments.

Rules without accountability are not reform. They are permission slips for inequity. Growth must serve Durham’s people and places, not ask them to bear unnecessary risks. A city’s growth is only progress if its people can stay and thrive in place.

What will guide your decisions in matters relating to public safety, planning and zoning, annexation, and development of city policy?

My decisions will be guided by a commitment to justice, equity, and the well-being of all who call Durham home. Public safety must mean more than policing—it must mean building trust, investing in prevention, and ensuring that every person feels secure in their neighborhood. Planning and zoning decisions must respect both history and future growth, balancing development with preservation, and ensuring that long-time residents are not displaced by speculation. Annexation must be considered through the lens of infrastructure, sustainability, and fairness, always weighing community impact above short-term gain.

The development of City policy must reflect bold leadership that listens deeply, acts with integrity, and measures success by how people’s lives are improved. I will be guided by principles of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, ensuring that residents are engaged not after decisions are made, but as co-creators in shaping them. Every decision must honor Durham’s legacy while securing its future, prioritizing development without displacement, safety without exclusion, and growth without erasure.

I am running to restore vision and renew courage in this city. My decisions will be grounded in that charge—because Durham deserves leadership that does not simply manage the present, but dares to build a better future.

Considering gentrification and displacement, what, if anything, should the city do to preserve NOAH (Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing)?

Durham cannot afford to lose the affordable housing it already has. NOAH is the first line of defense against displacement. The City Council should consider establishing a NOAH Preservation Fund to acquire and rehabilitate at-risk properties in partnership with nonprofits, tenants, and mission-driven developers.

Small landlords who meet criteria established by the Council should have access to low-cost loans for repairs in exchange for affordability commitments. Tenants and nonprofits should have first-look purchase rights when NOAH is for sale. A public registry of vulnerable units should be created so action can be taken before they are lost.

Durham should also expand tax relief, home repair grants, and relocation support so long-time residents are not forced out. Preservation must be measured in years, not months.

Durham must plan ahead. As climate change and redevelopment pressures rise, preserving affordable housing must mean resilient housing—safe from flooding, heat, and future displacement.

Durham cannot claim progress while it allows affordable homes to disappear.

Are you satisfied with public engagement between residents and the City of Durham? Do ordinary Durham residents get a fair shake in planning and zoning processes? What, if anything, should be done to change that?

No. Based on my observations, I am not fully satisfied with public engagement between residents and the City of Durham. There may be some exceptions.

Ordinary residents do not get a fair chance in planning and zoning today. Too many residents encounter decisions after they are made. Durham must move from token engagement to genuine co-creation. Require early outreach before development applications are filed. Partner to provide plain-language materials, translation, childcare, and hybrid meetings so working families, seniors, and immigrants can participate fully. Publish clear timelines and a public dashboard tracking commitments.

For major projects, require an equity impact review and a community benefits plan. Train and resource neighborhood liaisons to connect City Hall to every zip code.

The next step is not only a better process today. Durham must create permanent systems that guarantee residents are at the table for tomorrow’s growth, not left fighting from behind. Neighborhood decisions must start with residents at the table—not end with them at a hearing.

What changes should Durham make in its approach to public safety? Specifically, what should the city do to reduce gun violence? How should the city accomplish these changes?

Durham’s approach to public safety must move from reaction to prevention, trust, and precision. Gun violence requires urgent investment in community violence intervention, hospital-based programs, and credible messengers who can stop retaliation. Expand youth jobs, after-school opportunities, and reentry support to cut the cycle of harm. Use data to identify patterns and focus enforcement where it is most effective, while pairing accountability with pathways to services and second chances. Expand non-sworn crisis response teams so officers can focus on violent crime. Address root causes with blight removal, better lighting, and safe walking and biking routes.

Durham must also confront the reality that conflict spreads and escalates online. Young people need safe spaces, digital literacy, and mentors who can intervene before words on a screen lead to violence in the street.

Durham must confront and address the deep poverty concentrated in certain neighborhoods, where conditions are disproportionately worse than in other parts of the city. As mayor, I will make poverty reduction a top priority in our public safety strategy.

We cannot ignore that weak state and federal gun laws make our work harder. Durham must continue to advocate for stronger protections while doing everything possible at the local level to reduce access to illegal firearms and prevent violence before it begins.

Public safety is not only about enforcement. It is about opportunity, dignity, and justice. Real safety comes from prevention, precision, and trust—never punishment alone.

Are you satisfied with Durham’s response to the discovery of contaminated soil in Durham’s parks? What should the city do that it is not doing?

No. Based on what I have read and heard from residents, I am not satisfied with Durham’s response to the discovery of contaminated soil in our parks.

Residents deserve absolute transparency and swift action. The City must complete independent testing across all parks, publish full results, and clearly mark unsafe areas until remediation is complete. Cleanup must be prioritized where children and elders gather. A public dashboard with timelines and budgets should be maintained so residents can track progress. Polluters must be held accountable where possible, and City, County, and State resources must be coordinated to ensure full cleanup—not just risk management.

The City must also ensure that residents who may have been exposed are not burdened by the cost of testing or care. Every person deserves to know how they may have been impacted, and Durham should provide free or affordable testing and connect families to health resources through partnerships.

Durham must also look forward. Soil safety and environmental health should be built into every future park, capital project, and redevelopment so we never repeat the mistakes of the past.

Public land must be safe before it is open. That is non-negotiable.

Hypothetical Case - A rezoning from Single Family (18 homes allowed by right) to apartment housing is requested on a very busy road with no curb or sidewalk. The developer plans 110 units with 80 parking spaces. Twelve units will be affordable (80% AMI for 15 years). Entrance and exit modifications are proffered. The location is one mile from transit. The property is across from a large private school and next to an environmentally sensitive park. Residents object due to safety, lack of crosswalk, environmental risk, and bird habitat disruption. How would you vote and why?

I would vote against this rezoning request as presented because it fails three standards I apply to every development decision:

Safety. 110 families would live on a corridor with no sidewalks, no crosswalk, and no safe access to transit. Refusing a crosswalk across from a large private school is unacceptable.

Environment. High-density apartments adjacent to a sensitive park and bird habitat require robust protections against runoff, lighting, and habitat disruption. This proposal does not provide them.

Affordability. Twelve affordable units at 80% AMI for only 15 years is not a meaningful commitment compared to the scale of impact.

Durham must welcome growth, but only growth that meets our standards. A responsible project at this site would include full pedestrian infrastructure, deeper and longer affordability, and strong environmental safeguards. Development in Durham must meet the test of safety, equity, and environment—anything less is not responsible growth.

What specific measures will you take to protect mixed-status families and undocumented workers who contribute to our community?

Durham must be a city where every resident feels safe and valued—no exceptions. As mayor, I will work with our council to strengthen Durham’s non-cooperation policy with ICE, ensuring no city resources are used for immigration enforcement unless explicitly required by law. I will expand access to language justice across city services and guarantee that immigrant workers are fully protected in housing, safety, and wages.

Mixed-status families must never fear calling 911 or seeking help from City Hall. In Durham, safety will be rooted in trust—not immigration status.

How will you ensure undocumented residents can legally access emergency and preventive healthcare?

While cities cannot change federal eligibility rules, we can ensure care is accessible. Durham will expand partnerships with federally qualified health centers, mobile clinics, and nonprofits that already serve undocumented residents. We will invest in language access, mental health resources, and preventive screenings through public health grants and community partnerships.

Every resident must know they can walk into a clinic or call for help without fear. In Durham, healthcare will be treated as a human right—not a privilege of status.

In 5 years, the number of older adults who live in Durham is projected to increase by 64%. What is your vision for Durham as an “age-friendly” community?

My vision is for Durham to be a multi-generational city where people are able to age in place with dignity. That requires accessible housing, safe sidewalks, benches, lighting, and transit stops designed with older adults in mind. It requires expanding home repair programs, caregiver support, and digital literacy initiatives that keep older adults connected. Every planning and zoning decision should ask: How does this serve older residents?

To me, a “just city” is one where people can grow up and grow old with dignity—in the same neighborhood, rooted in the community they helped to build.

What is your plan for transportation over the next 2 years?

As Mayor, my plan is to work collaboratively with my colleagues on Council and the City Manager to deliver visible progress people can feel. That means expanding bus frequency and hours, building sidewalks and bike connections in underserved neighborhoods, and adding shelters, benches, and lighting at stops. I will also work, with Council support, to lead street redesigns that include speed humps, safer crosswalks, and better intersections so cars naturally slow down and people can walk, bike, or drive safely.

Durham must also address the school bus driver shortage that leaves too many students and families without safe, reliable transportation. I will partner with the County and Durham Public Schools to expand recruitment, improve driver pay and training pipelines, and create safe alternatives for students through walking routes, protected crossings, and neighborhood shuttles.

Transportation is freedom—and freedom must reach every neighborhood in Durham.

How will you strengthen tenant protections against unfair rent increases and poor living conditions?

As Mayor, I will work with my Council colleagues to strengthen tenant protections through stronger enforcement, greater transparency, and expanded renter support. Durham must move from reactive to proactive housing oversight.

Enforcement and standards. I will champion a rental licensing and inspection system requiring landlords to meet health and safety standards before leasing units, including publicly subsidized housing. Conditions in Durham Housing Authority (DHA) communities are unacceptable. The City will partner with DHA and HUD to set remediation timelines, relocate residents when units are unsafe, and track progress publicly.

Access to rights and remedies. The City will expand legal aid partnerships, multilingual tenant education, and a centralized hotline so residents can report issues without fear. Complaints and inspections will never ask about immigration status. Inspections and repair assistance will prioritize buildings with seniors, people with disabilities, and families with young children.

Proactive inspections. I will propose that Council direct the City Manager to implement proactive, data-driven inspections of high-risk properties and repeat offenders instead of relying only on tenant complaints. Complaint-only systems silence vulnerable renters, including seniors, immigrants, and low-income families, who often cannot risk retaliation or may not know their rights.

Protection from displacement. While state law limits rent control, Durham can act. Emergency rental assistance should be expanded, community land trusts supported, and City-funded housing tied to just-cause protections and longer notice periods for rent increases. I will also advocate at the state level for stronger tenant protections.

Workplace and habitability. All City incentives and contracts will require compliance with housing and labor laws, including prompt repairs, mold and pest abatement, and accommodations for older adults and residents with disabilities.

In Durham, a lease should come with dignity—not exploitation.

Despite existing youth programming, young people in lower-income neighborhoods still face disproportionate challenges. What additional strategies will you implement to ensure programs reach youth who need them most?

Despite existing programs, too many young people struggle to access them. Barriers like cost, transportation, and awareness affect families across Durham, with the deepest impact in lower-income neighborhoods. As Mayor, I will ensure Durham invests not only in programs, but also in access, equity, and trust.

Access and equity. Youth should not miss opportunities because they cannot afford transportation, fees, or equipment. The City will expand free transit passes, provide safe walking and biking routes, and partner with schools and nonprofits to eliminate barriers to sports, arts, and after-school learning.

Trusted spaces. Young people need safe, consistent places to gather beyond school hours. I will support neighborhood-based recreation hubs, extended library hours, and mentorship programs staffed by credible messengers who reflect the communities they serve.

Jobs and skills. I will work to expand youth employment and paid internships, with pathways into technology, green jobs, the arts, and public service. The City will partner with local businesses and Durham’s colleges and universities to build pipelines that connect young people to meaningful careers—not just summer work.

Sustainability and leadership. Programs cannot depend on a single elected official. The City must lead in coordinating youth investment, creating dedicated funding streams, and working with community organizations. That way, no initiative disappears when leadership changes.

Digital safety and resilience. Too many conflicts now begin online and end in tragedy. The City must partner with schools, parents, and youth to promote digital literacy, provide counseling, and intervene before online disputes escalate into real-world violence.

Durham must measure success not by counting programs, but by ensuring vulnerable youth can participate fully and thrive. Every young person in Durham deserves not just programs, but pathways to purpose and hope.

Will you accept political donations from the development community? Will you accept political contributions from out-of-state donors? Will you impose a cap on contributions lower than that imposed by state law?

I will not accept donations from developers with projects pending before Council. Out-of-state contributions are welcome when they reflect a transparent, people-first campaign, but they will never outweigh the voices of Durham residents.

I will not impose arbitrary caps beyond state law. Every contribution will be disclosed clearly, and all will be held to the same standard: support fuels the campaign, but it does not buy influence.

This campaign is built on transparency and trust. No dollar outweighs the voice of Durham residents.

Please give your opinion on two substantive issues made by the City Council in the last three years—first, an example of a poor decision and, second, an excellent decision.

Poor decision: Hayti rezoning process
The City Council mishandled the Heritage Square rezoning in Hayti when a developer was allowed to present and then withdraw their application, even though residents had come ready to speak. Council should have heard public testimony, taken a vote, and required the developer to wait a full 12 months to resubmit. Instead, by approving the withdrawal, the developer was allowed to refile in six months. This undermined trust and sent the message that developer convenience outweighed community voice—especially in a neighborhood with deep historic significance.

Excellent decision: Eviction diversion expansion
Between December 2023 and July 2025, Durham strengthened its Eviction Diversion Program by partnering with community organizations to broaden access to mediation, legal assistance, and tenant–landlord education. This proactive step shifts the city from crisis response to lasting housing stability. Keeping families in their homes is more effective and more humane than responding to displacement after the fact.

Did you support the SCAD changes to Durham’s development rules? Why or why not?

I was not serving on Council when SCAD was adopted, but I have reviewed its impacts, and I do not support the changes as they were passed. Simplifying development rules can be worthwhile, but SCAD placed too much emphasis on speed and efficiency without strong guarantees of affordability, accountability, or community voice.

Durham needs rules that actually produce affordable housing tied to what residents here can pay—not Area Median Income (AMI) calculations that include wealthier surrounding counties and distort true affordability for Durham residents. We also need equity reviews for major rezonings, meaningful community engagement before applications are filed, and enforcement that ensures commitments are kept. SCAD fell short in these areas.

As Mayor, I will support reforms that remove unnecessary barriers to housing, but I will not support rules that make it easier for developers to profit while residents shoulder the risks. Streamlining rules should never come at the expense of community voice.

Progress is not measured by how fast we approve projects, but by whether Durham families can stay and thrive in the homes we build.

What changes, if any, should be made to the Comprehensive Plan?

Durham’s Comprehensive Plan is a step forward, but it must be strengthened to match the scale of the challenges our city faces. Equity and anti-displacement are mentioned in the plan, but without binding enforcement they risk remaining aspirational.

Three changes are necessary:

Affordability standards. Housing commitments must be tied to what Durham residents can actually afford—not inflated regional income formulas. The plan should require deeper affordability, longer-term protections, and stronger links to public investment.

Anti-displacement measures. The plan must embed tenant protections, community land trusts, right-to-return policies for displaced residents, and strategies to prevent evictions. Development should not come at the cost of uprooting the very people who built Durham’s neighborhoods.

Accountability and participation. Public engagement must be more than consultation. The plan should require equity impact reviews, public dashboards to track progress, and guaranteed resident participation in decisions that shape their communities. Nothing about Durham’s neighborhoods should be decided without the people who live in them.

Durham’s future cannot be guided by words on paper alone. The Comprehensive Plan must deliver policies that keep families in place, protect cultural identity, safeguard natural resources, and ensure that growth is measured not by buildings, but by people’s ability to live, work, and thrive here.

A plan is only progress if it protects people, honors place, and holds power accountable.