Trayon White, Sr.

Mr. Trayon White, Sr., a native Washingtonian, was born and raised in Southeast, DC.  He was reared by his very devoted grandmother, Jean Ann Roberts; Uncle Ronell White; and mother, Sherita White-Kennedy.  They each instilled hard work and determination into him early in his life that he continues to carry with him even today.  Growing up as a youth, Mr. White was always involved in community activities.  He started his very own business at an early age.  He sold refrigerator magnets, cars, and whatever he could get his hands on to keep him off the streets. These experiences allowed him to gain the knowledge and wisdom as an entrepreneur, which would serve him well later in life.

During Mr. White’s early teen years, he participated in the highly successful youth television program on BET, “Teen Summit”.  His time on the show enhanced his knowledge and passion for tackling social issues head on.  During his time on “Teen Summit”, Trayon created a lifelong friendship with another effective community leader, the late Jay Cooper.

Mr. White is a proud father, community advocate, as well as humanitarian to his fellow Ward 8 neighbors.  He graduated with a 3.7 GPA and honors from Frank W. Ballou Senior High School and continued his education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.  While enrolled at the University of Maryland, Mr. White dedicated himself to the children of the neighborhood, in which he was raised, by making weekly trips home, to coach little league football at Boys & Girls Club No. 11 & FBR for at risk youth.  He was heavily involved in the nonprofit, “East of the River Clergy, Police and Community Partnership”, which created a platform to do youth violence intervention in the community.  Mr. White built great relationships and the trust of the community.  He also demonstrates his commitment to accessible education to the village of Ward 8 by mentoring them from grade school to college.

In 2008, Mr. White founded and continued to serve until recently as Executive Director of a youth oriented non-profit organization, HICKS, Inc. (Helping Inner City Kids Succeed), which creates activities for youth development in some of Washington’s toughest neighborhoods. In 2010, Mr. White was awarded the President Barack Obama Volunteer Service Award.

The year 2011 was one of great accomplishments, as Mr. White was elected to the State Board of Education for Ward 8 to complete the term of the late William Lockridge.  Mr. White was re-elected in 2012.

Even after his time on the State School Board of Education, Mr. White’s work in the community is well documented with its positive influence on 300 youth annually.  Mr. White is also known for his common sense approach and business acumen that show youth the correct pathway to successful living, personally and professionally.

He really enjoys being a community leader and positive example for all youth in Ward 8 and across this Nation’s Capitol.   In 2015, he ran for the DC Council to represent Ward 8 to fill the seat of the late Marion Barry.  He lost by less than 80 votes. In 2016, Mr. White upset the incumbent by energizing non-traditional voters through his “We the People” campaign.  On January, 2, 2017, Mr. White was sworn in as the Ward 8 Councilmember.

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