Sekou Biddle

Sekou Biddle is a politician in Washington, D.C.

Sekou Biddle
Member of the Council of the District of Columbia At-large
In office
January 6, 2011 – May 10, 2011
Preceded byKwame R. Brown
Succeeded byVincent Orange
Personal details
Residence(s)Shepherd Park, Washington, D.C.
Alma materMorehouse College
ProfessionTeacher

Early years and education

Biddle was raised in Columbia Heights in Washington, D.C.,[1] and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School,[2] where he played football.[3] Biddle graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in business administration.[2]

Professional career

Following graduation, he taught at an elementary school in the Bronx borough of New York City, through Teach for America.[2] He later taught at an elementary school in Atlanta, became a math teacher at the Knowledge Is Power Program KEY Academy in the District in 2005,[2] and then became director of community outreach for the Knowledge Is Power Program.[1]

Political career

Biddle was one of eight candidates in a 2007 special election to represent District 2 (wards 3 and 4) in the District of Columbia State Board of Education.[4] Biddle's candidacy focused on his upbringing and educational work in the District.[5] Biddle's candidacy was endorsed by The Washington Post's editorial board[6] and the District's Gertrude Stein Democratic Club.[7] Biddle won the election with 30% of the vote.[4]

In 2008, the composition of the District of Columbia State Board of Education was changed from five mayoral-appointed members and four elected members to only nine elected members, one from each ward and one at-large member. Biddle ran uncontested to represent Ward 4.[8] His candidacy was endorsed by The Washington Post's editorial board.[9] Biddle also became executive director of Jumpstart for Young Children, a nonprofit organization that prepares children for elementary school.[10]

Following Kwame Brown's swearing in as chair of the Council of the District of Columbia in 2011, the District of Columbia Democratic State Committee announced an election by its members to replace Brown as at-large member of the Council.[10] Biddle, former Council member Vincent Orange, and six others filed.[11] Brown endorsed Biddle for the position, as did Council members Harry Thomas Jr., Mary Cheh, Muriel Bowser, Yvette Alexander, and Marion Barry.[10] District mayor Vincent Gray said he supported Brown's endorsement of Biddle.[12] On January 6, 2011, Biddle was chosen by the Committee as at-large member of the Council.[13]

Biddle announced that he would run for the position in a special election to be held on April 26, 2011.[14] Other candidates in the race include former Council member Vincent Orange,[15] District Board of Education member Patrick Mara,[16] and community activist Bryan Weaver.[17] Mayor Vincent Gray endorsed Biddle's candidacy.[18] Biddle placed third in the special election, losing to former Council member Vincent Orange.[19] Biddle's temporary appointment expired on May 10, 2011, when Vincent Orange was sworn into office.

Personal life

Biddle lives in Shepherd Park with his wife and children.[20]

References
  1. Suderman, Alan (January 19, 2011). "Sekou Biddle Wants To Be Your Councilmember". Washington City Paper.
  2. Labbé, Theola (August 23, 2007). "Biddle Promised Hands-On Strategy". The Washington Post.
  3. Lin, Richard W.C. (October 2, 1988). "Wilson Overhauls Anacostia". The Washington Post. p. D12.
  4. "Certified Official Results Report" (PDF). District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics. May 1, 2007.
  5. Labbé, Theola (May 2, 2007). "Biddle Chosen to Fill District 2 Board Seat". The Washington Post.
  6. "The D.C. Special Election" (editorial). The Washington Post. April 15, 2007.
  7. Stewart, Nikita; Silverman, Elissa (April 12, 2007). "Where the Boys Aren't". The Washington Post.
  8. Wilson, Timothy (November 5, 2008). "School Body Prepares for All-Elected Status for the First Time in 12 Years". The Washington Post.
  9. "For D.C.'s School Board" (editorial). The Washington Post. November 1, 2008.
  10. Craig, Tim; DeBonis, Mike (January 4, 2011). "D.C. Democrats to pick interim at-large council member". The Washington Post.
  11. Wright, James (15 December 2010). "Eight File with Democrats to Replace Kwame Brown". Washington Informer.
  12. Stewart, Nikita R (January 6, 2011). "Mayor stops just short of endorsing Sekou Biddle". The Washington Post.
  13. Craig, Tim (January 7, 2011). "D.C. Democrats secretly select Biddle". The Washington Post.
  14. Craig, Tim (January 7, 2011). "Biddle picked for vacant council seat". The Washington Post.
  15. Craig, Tim (January 19, 2011). "Vincent Orange says 'it's full speed ahead' for D.C. council bid". The Washington Post.
  16. DeBonis, Mike (January 19, 2011). "Patrick Mara to run for D.C. Council at-large seat". The Washington Post.
  17. Craig, Tim (January 19, 2011). "Bryan Weaver enters at-large race". The Washington Post.
  18. Craig, Tim (January 21, 2011). "Vince Gray Gives Biddle a rousing endorsement". The Washington Post.
  19. "Official Results of the April 26, 2011 Special Election". Archived from the original on June 25, 2011.
  20. "Sekou Biddle". State Board of Education. Government of the District of Columbia. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
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