The City Of Davis Appoints Daryel Dunston as Its Historic First Black City Manager

This week, Davis celebrated the appointment of its inaugural Black city manager, Daryel Dunston, who officially commenced his duties on September 15 and engaged in his first City Council meeting on Tuesday evening."Few city managers share my background," Dunston expressed to The OBSERVER. "This opportunity is profoundly meaningful."He aspires for his role to inspire younger individuals to embrace positions in local governance. "I was raised to give back, and I genuinely hope to serve as an example for those like me aiming for local government roles. If I can assist, I certainly will."Davis, with a population of about 67,000, has a Black demographic comprising less than 3%. The city manager position offers an annual salary of $280,051.Mayor Bapu Vaitla remarked that Dunston’s blend of administrative expertise and interpersonal skills distinguished him in the search for candidates. Vice Mayor Donna Neville expressed excitement about collaborating with him, while Councilmember Linda Deos praised Dunston’s dedication to public service throughout his career. Dunston, 42, previously served as Santa Rosa's assistant city manager, directing various departments and successfully securing substantial funding. His experience in Oakland included innovative approaches to homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dunston is eager to collaborate with the community, emphasizing the...

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