On the last night of the Democratic National Convention, North Carolina Mayor Leonardo Williams shared his story about starting a restaurant and praised the Democratic Party for supporting small businesses.
Williams, the mayor of Durham, talked about how he and his wife, Zweli, began cooking for their community years ago. They gave out food samples at schools and doctor’s offices, but he explained that it takes money to follow a dream.
In a nod to former President Donald Trump, Williams said, “Not everyone gets a multi-million dollar loan from their father.”
Williams used his savings to open a restaurant in 2008, during the time when Barack Obama was president and Joe Biden was vice president. The restaurant, called Zweli’s Kitchen, is known as the first in the U.S. to serve authentic Zimbabwean food.
Williams credited the Biden-Harris administration for helping entrepreneurs like him make their dreams come true. He mentioned that thanks to small-business grants, his restaurant now has three locations and employs nearly 30 people who earn a living wage.
Williams highlighted that over half a million business applications have been filed in North Carolina under the Biden administration. He also emphasized that Kamala Harris is working to create an “opportunity economy” that supports entrepreneurs.
He thanked other entrepreneurs who have thrived under the Biden administration’s strong support for small businesses. Williams, who was a school teacher and administrator before entering politics, was elected to the Durham City Council in December 2021 and became mayor in December 2023.
