Durham Next Launches Community Advisory Council to Engage Local Community on Destination Master Plan Projects

For Immediate Release:

Nonprofit Selects 33 Community Advisory Council Members from Applicant Pool of 135+

[DURHAM, N.C.] July 23, 2025 — Durham Next, a visionary community partnership for the sustainable advancement of Durham over the next 20 years, has selected 33 community members to serve two-year terms on its inaugural Community Advisory Council (CAC), following a two-month open application period. This roster marks the first iteration of Durham Next’s new approach for sustainable community engagement practices, ensuring a wide range of Durham voices have ongoing input into projects and initiatives put forth in the Destination Master Plan (DMP).

The Council will advise Destination Master Plan project teams on how to harness collective benefit, engage Durham residents, reflect community values and ignite forward progress for priority projects. This group will be charged with sharing feedback with Durham Next staff and project teams, as well as helping to shape outreach and engagement efforts based on the organization’s community engagement pillars.

“Durham Next is dreaming big, and those dreams are too big for any one organization to make happen on its own,” said Durham Next Board Chair Farad Ali. “This is a community partnership, and in order for Durham’s 20-year vision to become a reality, the community has to be at the table, guiding and shaping the work that takes place. We put out the call, and the community did not hesitate to answer. We’re pleased to have such a passionate group of individuals, representing the perspectives of Durham natives, newcomers, parents, students, elders, entrepreneurs, grassroot advocates, creatives, relationship-builders and so much more.”

Stewarding a vision for the community, the collaboration and the investments made by the Durham Next Board and CAC will fulfill what was put in motion by the DMP, driving positive change, enhancing the visitor economy, supporting local businesses, driving job creation and promoting experiences that increase Durham residents’ quality of life.

Durham Next Community Advisory Council

From April 1 through May 30, Durham Next led local outreach efforts to recruit people who live, work and/or attend school in Durham County to apply to serve on the CAC. During that time, more than 135 applications were submitted for review. Those selected to participate were chosen based on a methodology that prioritized strong personal interests in economic and community development, socio-economic and demographic representation, the ability to offer unique perspectives and experience supporting local interests that directly intersect Durham’s tourism sector, such as recreation, transportation, arts and culture, food industry, lodging, etc.

“Durham Next is pursuing transformative projects that will have a profound impact on the experiences of those who live, work and visit Durham,” said Susan Amey, President and CEO of Discover Durham. “There’s a lot to do in the next 20 years and holding space for this Council to operate within Durham Next’s framework is a necessary measure to deliver the outcomes that make Durham more connected, accessible, enjoyable and sustainable more efficiently, creating assets that will help community members thrive here.”

The CAC will be led by Durham Next’s new executive director, Tara Kenchen. Kenchen will work closely with the Council to prioritize equitable engagement practices, listen to the local perspectives of those who live and work in Durham and build relationships with members of the community.

Initial priority projects for Durham Next that the Community Advisory Council will be contributing to, as determined by the Durham Next Board, include:

• Working with the Durham Sports Commission to pursue a new multi-sport facility
• Conducting a feasibility study to understand how we can maximize Durham County Memorial Stadium’s potential
• Launching a Matching Grants Program to partner with other organizations and small businesses in the community to create new or expanded experiences and spaces
• Exploring ways to support our festival and events ecosystem
• Updating Durham’s gateway signage in ways reflective of the community
• Supporting community safety efforts for residents, visitors and hospitality businesses, and
• Moving into the next phase of work on imagining a new convention and events center and hotel

During their terms, members of the Council will be responsible for:

• Offering input, perspective and insights on active Durham Next projects through quarterly meetings, online surveys and other tools
• Advising Durham Next project teams on community engagement participation
• Sharing insights into strategies to anticipate or address potential barriers to community engagement
• Reflecting on community engagement outcomes and strengthening future efforts, and
• Being an advocate for Durham Next within the community, building trust, transparency and accountability, as well as fostering stronger connections and partnerships

The formal open application period is now closed, but the application is still available online in both English and Spanish for those interested in getting involved with the CAC in the future and would like to be considered on a rolling basis. If you have any questions about your application submission, please send them to applications@durhamnext.org.

Members of the CAC will convene for the first time in August. Visit durhamnext.org/community-advisory-council/ to learn more about the Community Advisory Council and to stay in-the-know on additional opportunities to engage with Durham Next.