Trayon White, Sr.

Trayon White is a Washington, D.C. native and Democratic Party member who represented Ward 8 on the Council of the District of Columbia. Born on May 11, 1984, White has dedicated his career to community advocacy and youth development in one of the city's most underserved neighborhoods.

White is a proud father and community advocate known for his common-sense approach to leadership. He has been instrumental in addressing social challenges including crime, poverty, and educational disparity while empowering families to thrive. In November 2007, he founded *Helping Inner City Kids Succeed *, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping poverty-stricken children east of the Anacostia River, for which he received the Linowes Leadership Award in 2008. He also founded Manpower DC and has worked with the Attorney General's Office.

White is recognized for his unwavering commitment to giving voice to underserved residents and has worked to mentor youth from grade school through college, positively influencing approximately 300 young people annually.

Education

White graduated with honors and a 3.7 GPA from Frank W. Ballou Senior High School in Washington, D.C. He continued his education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, graduating magna cum laude.

Political Experience

White was first elected to public service in 2011 as the Ward 8 school board representative, serving on the State Board of Education to complete the term of the late William Lockridge. He was re-elected in 2012.

In 2015, he ran for the DC Council to represent Ward 8, succeeding the late Marion Barry, but lost by fewer than 80 votes. In 2016, White successfully ran for the position, energizing non-traditional voters through his "We the People" campaign. He was sworn in as Ward 8 Councilmember on January 2, 2017, and served until February 2025, when he was expelled from office following an indictment on federal bribery charges. In 2025, White was reelected to the D.C. Council in a special election.