Durham mayor pitches Harris as best for entrepreneurs

(The Center Square) – Taking the stage on the last night of the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, a North Carolina mayor told the story of his journey to start a restaurant and praised Democrats as the party that will help small-business entrepreneurs.

Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams said, “Several years ago, my wife Zweli and I started cooking for our community. We drove to schools, doctor’s offices, just to give out a few samples. But you know it takes capital to chase the dream.”

In an apparent reference to former president and current Republican nominee Donald Trump, Williams said, “I guess not everybody can have a multi-million dollar loan from their father.”

Williams drained his savings and in 2008, when Barack Obama was president and Joe Biden vice president, launched the restaurant Zweli’s kitchen. It is billed at the first restaurant in the U.S. offering authentic Zimbabwean food, Williams told the delegates.

“The Biden-Harris administration helped make that reality, they helped make that dream come true for entrepreneurs like us,” Williams said.

Thanks to small-business grants, the restaurant now has three locations, the mayor said.

“We employ nearly 30 employees with a living wage,” said Williams. “But we are not alone. Under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, more than a half million business applications have been filed in North Carolina.”

Harris is fighting to create “an opportunity economy,” for entrepreneurs, said Williams.

“She will support risk takers and problem solvers who want to do their part and take their piece of the American dream,” the mayor said.

He thanked other entrepreneurs who have thrived under the Biden administration’s “historic support” for small businesses.

“Kamala Harris knows entrepreneurs like me,” Williams said. “She knows we are the backbone of our communities. When they succeed, we all succeed.”

Williams is a former school teacher and administrator was elected to the Durham City Council in December 2021. He became mayor in December 2023, according to his official biography.