1 of these 21 people will fill vacancy on Durham City Council. Here’s more about them.

More than 20 applicants want to fill the at-large seat that’s open on the Durham City Council.

The at-large open seat was previously held by Charlie Reece, who resigned in early March for his family’s move to Europe. The term runs through December 2023.

The council is made up of seven members, including the mayor and three council members representing specific wards, serving two-year terms. The three at-large council members serve four-year terms.

Applications were due Friday. The city clerk’s office has identified qualified applicants for appointment ahead of the council’s work session on April 7 at 1 p.m.

Candidates must live within city limits, be a registered voter with the Durham County Board of Elections, be current on city and county taxes and at least 21 years old.

The City Council is expected to interview five to seven finalists during a special meeting in City Hall Council Chambers on May 2 at 4 p.m. However, more applicants could be selected.

A public comment period will also be held May 3 during another special meeting in City Hall Council Chambers, before the body makes its final selection on May 3 at 6 p.m.

The City Clerk’s office will coordinate with the appointee to select a date to be sworn into office. Here is a look at the residents who are being considered.

Applicants to fill vacant council seat

▪ Ahmed Ali, a Durham native whose family has owned and operated Golden Pizza and Subs in the Lakewood area for 20 years.

▪ Timothy Alwran is a real estate broker at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. He previously served on the board of Durham’s downtown YMCA and was the board chair of the Carolina Theatre.

▪ Nate Baker, a Durham native, is an urban planner and currently serves on the city’s planning commission.

▪ Marki Braxton is a nurse manager at Duke University.

▪ Solomon Burnette is a writer and publisher who works in the president’s office at Saint Augustine’s University.

▪ Sue Darling, a retired attorney with experience on two Durham County Advisory boards.

▪ Clayton DeSouza is a sales executive, writer and public relations specialist.

▪ Nicole Diggs, a North Carolina Central University grad who currently serves on the city’s Affordable Housing Implementation Committee.

▪ Waldo Fenner He ran in Durham’s most recent municipal race representing Ward 1, but lost in the primary in October 2021.

▪ Nichole Foster, an attorney, has served as the general counsel to Habitat for Humanity and past president of the Durham and Orange County Bar Association.

▪ Debra Haynes serves on the Engage Durham Comprehensive Plan and Outreach team.

▪ Monique Holsey-Hyman serves on Durham’s Citizen Advisory Council and the County Commissioners Social Services Board.

▪ Sheila Huggins, an attorney, has worked for three city departments over a span of nine years, including General Services, Neighborhood Improvement Services and the Office of Economic Workforce and Development. She also ran for the Ward 3 City Council seat in 2017.

▪ Sharron Hunter-Rainey, a Duke University grad, is an administrator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

▪ Henry McKoy Jr., a professor at NCCU’s School of Business, is a community leader who is active on the Hayti Reborn initiative.

▪ Stephen Morgan is the vice president of Epifany, a marketing and engagement firm.

▪ Selina Murrell is the Middle School Geography and Missions Coordinator at Heritage Leadership Academy.

▪ Brenda Pollard is a community activist and a retired employee of the state.

▪ Daryl Quick, a Durham native, is a technical support specialist at Parata Systems. He ran for election for mayor, but lost in the primary in October 2021.

▪ Renee Vaughn, a research administrator at Duke, currently serves on the Homeless Services Advisory Committee.

▪ Ebony West, a program associate at the Democracy Fund, currently serves on the Citizens Advisory Committee.

This story was originally published March 31, 2022 at 11:21 AM.