Southpoint Access

Durham’s own Joshua Gunn is coming home and he’s stepping into a pivotal role that could shape the Bull City’s economic future for years to come.

The City of Durham has officially named Gunn as the next director of its Office of Economic and Workforce Development. His first day on the job will be July 14, 2025. For South Durham residents – particularly those who care about local job growth, small business support, and inclusive economic opportunity – his return signals both continuity and fresh vision.

Gunn, a graduate of Jordan High School and a Durham native, brings national experience and deep local roots. He currently leads the Glendale Chamber of Commerce in Arizona, where he has represented more than 1,500 businesses in one of the country’s fastest-growing metro areas. Before that, he guided the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce in Illinois through a period of economic transition – launching workforce initiatives, championing diversity in business development, and boosting regional talent attraction.

But for many in Durham, Gunn is not a new face. From 2016 to 2020, he served as vice president of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. During that time, he worked closely on corporate recruitment, economic strategy, and policy advocacy.

City Manager Bo Ferguson praised Gunn’s appointment as both strategic and personal: “He brings not only experience in building strong, inclusive economies in other major cities, but also a personal understanding of our city’s values and opportunities.”

In his new role, Gunn will oversee the city’s efforts to connect residents to living-wage jobs, support local businesses with financial and technical resources, and prepare Durham’s workforce for careers in emerging industries. His portfolio also includes neighborhood revitalization and expanding the commercial tax base – issues that resonate strongly with residents in fast-changing areas like Southpoint, Parkwood, and the NC Highway 751 corridor.

Gunn’s leadership style blends economic rigor with cultural insight. Before stepping into executive roles, he built a reputation as a cultural entrepreneur and hip-hop artist – releasing critically acclaimed music, co-founding a creative enterprise, and touring internationally. He credits that background with shaping his inclusive approach to economic development.

“Returning to Durham to help lead its economic future is both a personal homecoming and a professional calling,” Gunn said in a statement. “This city has shaped who I am – as an artist, entrepreneur, and leader – and I believe it holds the blueprint for what inclusive, innovative growth can look like.”

Durham has long been a place where local innovation and community values intersect. With Gunn’s return, many in the area will be watching closely to see how the city balances growth with equity, and how it creates pathways to prosperity that reach across neighborhoods and demographics.

Whether you’re a small business owner in the Hope Valley Commons area, a young professional entering the workforce, or a longtime resident concerned about rising costs and displacement, Gunn’s work will likely touch your life in some way.

Spread the word by sharing this Southpoint Access newsletter with friends and neighbors. Got a tip for your neighborhood news guy? Send email to wes.platt@southpointaccess.news. Call 919-695-9813, ext. 800.

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