Norfolk City Councilman Carlos Clanton Appointed Vice Chair of National League of Cities’ Race, Equity, and Leadership (REAL) Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: December 18, 2025

Norfolk City Councilman Carlos Clanton Appointed Vice Chair of National League of Cities’ Race, Equity, and Leadership (REAL) Council

NORFOLK, VA — Norfolk City Councilman Carlos Clanton has been appointed Vice Chair of the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2026 Race, Equity, and Leadership (REAL) Council, a national leadership body dedicated to advancing equity-centered governance and inclusive leadership across America’s cities. NLC President Kevin Kramer, Councilmember of Louisville, Kentucky, announced the appointment.

“I am honored to represent Norfolk on a national stage through this leadership role,” said Councilman Clanton. “Equity is not an abstract concept; it is about how decisions impact real people, real neighborhoods, and real opportunities. Serving as Vice Chair of the REAL Council allows me to elevate Norfolk’s voice while learning from cities across the country that are committed to building fairer, more inclusive communities.”

The REAL Council supports local elected officials by developing tools, policies, and peer-learning opportunities that help cities address systemic inequities and strengthen leadership practices. As Vice Chair, Councilman Clanton will collaborate with municipal leaders nationwide to share best practices that can be scaled and replicated across diverse communities.

“National League of Cities’ member councils bring together innovative ideas and solutions to the biggest challenges facing local leaders,” said Kevin Kramer, NLC President. “We are excited to have Councilman Clanton help lead the REAL Council as we work to ensure cities have the resources needed to create thriving, equitable communities.”

The 2026 REAL Council leadership team includes Chair Jessica Harrison, Mayor of Zebulon, North Carolina; Vice Chair Carlos Clanton, Councilmember, Norfolk, Virginia; and Vice Chair Stephanie Howse-Jones, Councilmember, Cleveland, Ohio.

For more information about the National League of Cities and its member councils, visit www.nlc.org/member-councils