Birthday: Jan. 15, 1963 (Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday)

Birthplace: Decatur, Ga.

Family: Wife, Marcy Lowe; son, Alexander (Zan); daughter, Robin.

Education: B.A., University of California at Santa Cruz; master's degree in city and regional planning from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Career: Executive director, Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina. Previously worked in housing and community development with National Low Income Housing Coalition, Durham Affordable Housing Coalition, N.C. Fair Housing Center and other groups.

Passions: Writings of Martin Luther King Jr. and J.R.R. Tolkien; fast food; Motown, and sports.