City of Durham, NC

Be Heard Durham: Amplifying Community Conversations for Change

Challenge

Durham’s Community Engagement Division wanted a way to hear from residents who are often left out of traditional engagement, and to make sure those voices could meaningfully shape city decisions. The goal was to understand where needs are being met, where gaps remain, and how priorities differ across neighborhoods.

Solution

The City of Durham partnered with Cortico to support community-led small-group conversations where residents shared lived experiences and visions for Durham. Using Cortico’s approach, the city created a sustainable listening channel that makes it easier for people to speak honestly, especially in settings that feel safer than a town hall.

Process

Community organizations helped recruit participants, shape the questions, and facilitate the conversations. Afterward, city staff and community members used Cortico’s tools to make sense of what they heard, identify themes across conversations, and build a clearer picture of community experiences across districts. Themes were translated into summaries and paired with representative highlights so residents’ real voices stayed at the center of the analysis.

Results

Across the conversations, residents surfaced priorities related to public safety, transportation, affordable housing, and neighborhood connection, and emphasized a strong desire to work with the city on solutions. Insights from Be Heard Durham are shared with relevant departments to inform both near-term actions and longer-term planning.

Be Heard Durham is also an ongoing public resource. Conversations began in 2023 and continue to be added, with new highlights and themes posted through 2026 and beyond. The conversation portal offers a living record of what Durham residents are saying over time, and a transparent way for the city and community to stay grounded in real voices as efforts move forward.

Visit the Be Heard Durham conversation portal to explore voices, themes, and community insights.