Elaine O'Neal (politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elaine M. O'Neal
Mayor of Durham, North Carolina
In office December 6, 2021 – December 4, 2023
Preceded by	Steve Schewel
Succeeded by	Leonardo Williams
Judge of the North Carolina Superior Court for Durham County
In office 2011–2018
Judge of the North Carolina District Court for Durham County
In office 1994–2011
Dean of the North Carolina Central University School of Law
Interim
In office July 16, 2018 – July 1, 2020
Preceded by	Phyliss Craig-Taylor
Succeeded by	Browne C. Lewis
Personal details
Born	1962 (age 62–63) Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	North Carolina Central University (BS, JD)

Elaine M. O'Neal (born 1962) is an American lawyer, educator, and judge. She served as the mayor of Durham, North Carolina from 2021 to 2023. O'Neal made history as Durham's first female African-American mayor. Before becoming mayor, she was also the first woman to be a chief district court judge and a superior court judge in Durham County. She also worked as an interim dean at the North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Early Life and School

Elaine O'Neal was born in Durham, North Carolina, in 1962. She grew up in the West End area. Her childhood home was near the Pauli Murray Family Home. She is the youngest of five children.

Her parents were very involved in their community. Her mother, Nakoda, worked in local elections and led the school's parent-teacher group. Her father, Rueben, was a custodian and the church treasurer. As a child, Elaine played the tambourine at her church.

Elaine went to schools in Durham Public Schools. She graduated from Hillside High School in 1980. There, she was a co-captain of the color guard. She then attended North Carolina Central University. She joined the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. In 1984, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. Later, she received her law degree from the North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Legal and Judicial Career

Elaine O'Neal had a long career as a judge. She served as a judge for the North Carolina District Court from 1994 to 2011. She was the first woman in Durham County to become a Chief District Court judge. As a judge, she supported same-sex adoption and LGBT rights.

From 2011 to 2018, she was a judge for the North Carolina Superior Court. She was the first woman to hold this position in Durham County. In 2015, she led a task force for Durham Public Schools. This group worked to stop the "school-to-prison pipeline," which is when students are pushed out of school and into the justice system.

In June 2018, O'Neal retired as a judge. She was then chosen to be the interim dean of the North Carolina Central University School of Law. That same year, Mayor Steve Schewel asked her to lead the Racial Equity Task Force for Durham.

O'Neal is also a member of the Durham County Bar Association. This is a group for lawyers. She is also part of the George H. White Bar Association.

Mayoral Career

Becoming Mayor

Elaine O'Neal announced she would run for mayor on July 26, 2021. She spoke about her strong ties to Durham and her many years of public service. She shared her sadness about young lives lost to violence in Durham. She promised to improve her home city. She ended her speech by hoping for "a Durham for everyone. United and not divided."

O'Neal was elected as Durham's first African-American woman Mayor in 2021. She took over from Steve Schewel. She won a large number of votes in the primary election on October 5, 2021. She received 25,707 votes, which was 84.69% of all votes. After the primary, city councilwoman Javiera Caballero stopped her campaign. This meant O'Neal won the election. After being elected, O'Neal said her main goal would be to reduce gun violence.

Programs and Policies

On April 18, 2022, Mayor O'Neal gave her first "State of the City" speech. She said her top three concerns for Durham were:

• reducing crime
• helping small businesses grow
• improving transportation

She spoke about gun violence, saying, "Our city is in crisis." She wanted to make things fair in areas that had suffered from past city planning. She said the city would invest money to help these areas become more successful. They would also offer low-cost loans to local businesses.

To fight crime, O'Neal worked with city leaders to create a program for young people. This program would offer mentoring, therapy, and after-school activities. It also aimed to help people with past offenses clear their records. This was part of a program called Hayti Reborn. O'Neal believed it was important to talk to people closest to the problem to find solutions.

O'Neal also announced the city's support for small businesses. This included helping black-owned companies rebuild. Any small business could apply for the Durham Small Business Opportunity Loan Fund. This program has given out $800,000 in loans to 38 small businesses since 2020. Funds came from the city, county, and Duke University.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) gave $19.8 million to Durham. This money was for a 1.8-mile Rail Trail and improvements to the main Durham Station.

The City of Durham also started a new Down Payment Assistance program. This program helps low-income people buy homes. They can get up to $20,000 for down payments and closing costs. This helps people afford homes as prices rise in the city.

Personal Life

Elaine O'Neal is the fifth and youngest child of Reuben and Nekoda O'Neal. She is a mother to Koren O. Lee, Gregory J. Lee Sr., Jeanna Joint, and Macklin Bushfan. O'Neal is a practicing Baptist. She attends First Calvary Baptist Church in Durham. She is also a board member of Made in Durham, a non-profit organization.