Deha Dhalac. Community Activist. Community Leader.
South Portland’s other city councilors, who are all White, elected her in a unanimous vote. The 4th largest city in Maine, is the whitest state in the country and South Portland is 90% White.
In 2018, she ran against a local business owner and won, making history as the first African American and first Muslim elected to the council.
In 2020, she ran unopposed for a second term. The city council selects from among its members who will be mayor, and in November, her colleagues unanimously supported her nomination.
Education / Community Work highlights:
- Master’s Degree in Development Policy and Practice, University of New Hampshire
- Master’s Degree in Social Work, University of New England
- Past Program Manager for The Center for Grieving Children
- Former South Portland Schools Community Builder for the Opportunity Alliance
- Somali Community Center of Maine
- Board president of the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition
- Board member of the Maine Women’s Fund
- Family Engagement and Cultural Responsiveness Specialist with the Maine Department of Education
- South Portland City Council, District 5 Representative
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AMERICAN / SOMALI