NLU Community Member Safiyah Jackson Elected to District 2 Board Seat

The Wake County Board of Commissioners elected Susan Evans to be its new chairperson during its regular meeting Monday night.y

It also elected Safiyah Jackson to represent District Two. In her new role, Jackson will be representing much of southern Wake County, including Wilbon, Holland, and Fuquay-Varina.

Both candidates filled roles previously occupied by outgoing chair and District 2 Commissioner Matt Calabria.

Calabria left to head up the newly established Governor's Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC).

Evans served on the county Board of Education from 2011 to 2016.

She currently represents the county commission on the Wake County Smart Start board where she has worked to expand preschool classes to income-eligible three-year-olds.

"As a lifelong public servant, it is my honor to lead this dedicated group of elected officials, and together, we will continue to move Wake County forward," said Evans. "Through collaboration and strategic planning, we will make advancements in areas such as affordable housing, transit, public safety and access to behavioral healthcare to support our growing population."

Evans kept her remarks brief during Monday's meeting, acknowledging that the board had work to do after spending the last seven weeks without an acting chairperson.

"I look forward to getting started, and helping us continue to have a community that thrives," Evans said.

Jackson steps into her new role after having held leadership roles with the McCormick Foundation, National Louis University, McCormick Center for Early Childhood Education, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago Community Trust and Ford Motor Company in Chicago, Illinois.

"For those of you who don't know her, I've watched her grow as a public servant and come into her own as a leader," District 6 Commissioner Shinica Thomas said of Jackson.

Jackson is currently the chief strategy officer for the North Carolina Partnership for Children where she works with a statewide network of 75 county-based early childhood organizations.

She was the Wake County Democratic Party's nominee for the role.

"I am excited to join this dedicated group of leaders who are committed to building a high quality of life for all residents of Wake County," Jackson said.

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