Kenyan McDuffie

Kenyan R. McDuffie is a fourth-generation Washingtonian who grew up in the Stronghold neighborhood of Northeast DC. Early in his career, he worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, which provided union benefits and wages that enabled him to complete his college education. This experience shaped his commitment to working families and economic opportunity in the District.

McDuffie has built a career at the intersection of civil rights law and public policy. He worked as a trial attorney for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, an Assistant State's Attorney in Prince George's County, and as a policy advisor to the District of Columbia's Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice.

Education

McDuffie earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Community Development from Howard University, graduating summa cum laude. He later obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

Political Experience

Council Service

McDuffie was first elected to the DC Council in 2012 in a special election for Ward 5, following an unsuccessful 2010 run. He was re-elected to full four-year terms in 2014 and 2018. In 2023, he transitioned to represent the District At-Large. He has served as Chairman Pro Tempore of the Council since 2013.

Notable Legislative Achievements

As Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary, McDuffie authored the *Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results Act *, a landmark public health approach to reducing violence that incorporates behavioral and mental health professionals into public safety response. He led comprehensive juvenile justice reforms that ended life sentences for youth, banned solitary confinement, and expanded rehabilitation opportunities.

As Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, McDuffie championed the *Racial Equity Achieves Results Act *, the first law of its kind in the nation requiring the District to apply a racial equity lens to government decision-making. He authored "Ban the Box" legislation to support returning citizens in employment and housing, spearheaded the District's police body-worn camera program, and authored DC's Baby Bonds law.

McDuffie has directed hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic relief to small businesses and workers affected by COVID-19 and continues to advocate for local hiring, small business participation, and economic development across all eight wards.