Finding Your Place

Longtime HR executive seeks runoff win for Frisco City Council seat

Story and Photos
By Eva D. Coleman
Lifestyle & Culture Editor

Small in stature. Big on experience. Angelia Pelham’s credentials as a human resources executive speak volumes. As a person who once placed others in significant roles at major corporations, she’s now in a runoff for a position of her own, Frisco City Council Place 3.

With Frisco, Texas consistently dubbed as one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, slow to grow has been the diversity among its leadership. The once small town where everyone knew each other, with city council and school district board positions being recycled among a few, no longer exists. Local political races have increasingly seen a rise in competitors.

“It’s time-out for using yesterday’s qualifications for today’s Frisco,” Pelham said to women gathered during one of her campaign stops.

The Pensacola, FL native describes herself as a “corporate transplant.” She arrived in Frisco via employment with Pepsi-Co and has held top HR roles for a number of brands, including The Walt Disney Company, Cinemark and Dave & Buster’s; to name a few. Her savviness and oratorical skills, which she shares were developed in grade school and helped in securing scholarships to fund her education, lend to her concisely conveying her campaign priorities.

“I know Frisco is on the last mile and a lot of decisions need to be made,” Pelham shared with Frisco residents during a candidate forum at Stonebriar Country Club. “From my perspective, it’s time for a business leader who can sit in that seat and help identify those long term business decisions that need to be made.”

Born eighth of nine children, Pelham, who grew up impoverished in a mobile home community, often shares stories about “hand-me-down clothes” and “not knowing about homes that weren’t on wheels.”

For her, economic impact is priority number one.

“The first area of opportunity for us as a city is to return our tourism back to its pre-Covid state because tourism has an impact on every aspect of the economy,” she said, adding that her second area of focus is balancing the city’s growth with quality of life.

The family experience is important to Pelham. She’s married to Pastor Dono Pelham of Life-Changing Faith Christian Fellowship Church of Frisco (do not call her First Lady). They are parents to their daughter and recent high school graduate, Ashley Juliana, who is on her way to study at Columbia University.

She said they worked to provide their daughter with the best and they want the same for all children in their fast-growing community.

“That’s not an easy feat. That’s a challenge,” Pelham said. “How do you manage growth in these areas that are zoned multifamily with traffic issues?” she asked.

The final priority comes simply with Pelham’s being.

“Just continuing to ensure that we recognize the diversity that exists within our city; we’re about 40 percent people of color and ensuring that everyone has a voice at the table when it comes to the diversity of our city,” she said.

If victorious against her opponent, Frisco veterinarian Dr. Jennifer White, Pelham will be the first African American in the history of Frisco to be elected to the City Council.

Pelham has the support and public endorsements of many in current and past leadership positions, including Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney of whom she served as his campaign treasurer. Both he and current Place 1 Frisco City Councilman John Keating host events, and also join her at rallies and campaign stops to further emphasize their commitment and desire to have her serve alongside them. She’s made appearances and held conversations at plenty of local, Frisco businesses as well.

Many on the Frisco Independent School District Board of Trustees have publicly pledged their support as well, including Dynette Davis, who recently earned her place in history as the first African American elected to serve. Upon learning the news of Pelham advancing to a runoff, Davis posted on social media:

“Proud is an understatement. You showed up and worked hard in this race. Hold on Sis, just a little further to go. I am excited for you. Let’s get it done.”

A Florida State University and Rollins College graduate, Pelham is in her final stretch of this race which could result in a major historic milestone.

Foundation matters.

Pelham attended private school from first through third grade. While her family could not afford it, she says the opportunity was the result of “a blessing from my father’s client.”

An unskilled laborer, Pelham’s father died from cancer at age 49 when she was 10 years old, but he instilled values in her that remain today.

In the Pelham family, connectivity transcends households and is personal. So much so that her mother and mother-in-law lived together for 17 years; first becoming housemates in Florida and transitioning and residing together during the family’s move to Texas as well.

Pelham’s mother died in August of last year and she recalled the conversation she had with her mother about a potential run for City Council. Her mother emphatically and emotionally said, “Go for it Angelia!”

During a recent Frisco Chamber of Commerce candidate’s forum, Pelham stared straight into the camera and spoke about other parental advice that has stuck with her as well.

“One of the very first lessons I learned from my mother was the first act of courage is to simply show up,” she said in response to her opponent, Dr. White, not showing up for the debate. “You did not show up. You failed the citizens of Frisco.” Dr. White was allowed to share a three-minute recording in place of appearing at the live, virtual event of which candidates were invited to appear in-person.

Pelham said she hopes to continue her legacy of being a connector. For the past 11 years, Linking Cultures of Frisco, an organization of which she founded, honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and provides an annual oratory contest and scholarships for area students.

“I met Angelia early on during her campaign. Right away I knew that she would be an asset to the council and the City of Frisco,” Frisco ISD School Board Trustee Davis said. “I chose to support her because I believe she has what it takes to help move Frisco forward. I am confident that she will do amazing work, if elected. I am proud to know her and happy to support her.”

Pelham’s life experiences and career in managing humans brings together resources she hopes can help maintain the “economic vibrancy and diversification” of Frisco.

“My running, this is bigger than me,” Pelham explained. “This is about the culture and the economic prosperity and the unification of our city.”

Early voting takes place May 24th – June 1st. Election day is June 5th.

Angelia Pelham was recommended for Frisco City Council Place 3 by our partner publication, The Dallas Morning News, on April 1, 2021. During the DMN sponsored candidate forum, Dr. Jennifer White did not attend nor return a phone call to discuss her candidacy.

To learn more visit angeliaforfrisco.com.