Andrew Gillum Instagram – For those who don’t know her already, I’d like to take a second to appreciate Durham Councilor Jillian Johnson for our #womenshistorymonth feature. Jillian was first elected to the Durham City Council in 2015 on a platform of racial, economic, and environmental justice, police accountability, equitable development, broadening democracy, and centering the voices of those who are most impacted by the issues facing our city. In 2017, Jillian was unanimously chosen to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore by her council colleagues, and in 2019, Jillian was elected to a second term on the Durham City Council. Since June of 2020 Jillian has served as the North Carolina State Advisor for Movement Voter Project. MVP works to strengthen progressive power at all levels of government by helping donors support the best and most promising local community-based organizations in key states, with a focus on youth and communities of color. MVP believes that supporting local movement vote groups is the most effective strategy to transform our country. Jillian is a co-founder of Durham for All, an organization working to build a multi-racial, cross-class, political vehicle in Durham. Jillian is also on the national board of Local Progress, a network of progressive local elected officials, and co-chair of the state chapter. Jillian is active in the labor movement and was one of nearly 1,000 people arrested in 2013 as part of North Carolina’s Moral Monday movement. Jillian is also a member of @nbjconthemove Good Trouble Network. A true force in her community, here’s to Jillian!