Cyril Jefferson

Cyril Jefferson moved to High Point at 14 and met his future wife, Raven Dawkins, on his first day at T.W. Andrews High School.¹ He became drumline captain, and she joined the marching band as a dancer.¹ They are married and raising their sons in High Point.²

He attended Howard University on a full scholarship before returning to North Carolina to finish college.³ He later graduated from North Carolina A&T with a liberal studies degree in 2018.² Back in High Point, he taught the Andrews drumline and volunteered with Communities In Schools.¹

His work with Communities In Schools included youth development, student support and designing a mentoring program for children struggling in school.³ He founded Change Often, a consulting firm serving nonprofits and businesses.³ Elected to City Council in 2019 and mayor in 2023, he became High Point's youngest mayor and first Black man to hold that office.³ He remains mayor.⁴ The International Civil Rights Center and Museum selected him for its 2025 Keeper of the Flame Award.²

Jefferson proposes protecting Medicare and Medicaid, reducing prescription drug costs and expanding mental healthcare.⁵ He supports higher teacher pay, affordable childcare, apprenticeships and federal investment in roads, rail and broadband.⁵ His agenda also includes increasing housing supply and supporting small businesses and farmers.⁵ He challenges Republican incumbent Addison McDowell.⁶⁷