TEMPLE, Texas — In 2023, history was made for the City of Temple.
Councilwoman Dr. Zoe Grant was elected as a Councilmember for District 2 in May of 2023. She is the first Black woman to ever hold this position in Temple.
When Grant came back to Temple from living in Denver, Colorado in 2016, her initial goal was to grow a stronger relationship with her family.
"My parents were from here and so they're both deceased, but I came back to get more close to some of the relatives around here and get to know my heritage here," Grant explained.
As Grant got settled into Temple, she realized there were real work infrastructure issues that needed to be addressed in certain parts of town.
"There were a lot of concerns coming from an outsider looking in," Grant said. "There's a difference in housing, the build-up of stores, fast food and bigger houses on the West side, but when you come to the East side, you see a lot of homes that are deprived and tearing down. People are still living in that."
So Grant became the change she wanted to see and submitted her name for the City Council chair.
"I'm a background person," Grant said. "I love being in the background, but sometimes they push you to the front and you have to take that role."
Water Conservation and Waste Management, failing Infrastructure and Public Utilities and Affordable Housing and Housing Policies are some of Grant's platform points.
During her months-long campaign, Grant shared how in any leadership role her goal is for any Black people, people of color or female children to have a role model to look up to and to be a mentor for them.
In May, Grant received the big news that she had earned the city council position.
Grant stands on the shoulders of her uncle Robert McClellan Martin. He was the first Black City Commissioner, serving for three terms in Temple in the 1970s.
"Hearing some of the things he did or when people know who I am, they'll say they know him and he did great things. It's a heavy thing to bear but I'm just trying to make a difference." Grant added.
Since earning her position, Grant says work has been non-stop. Still, fulfilling the needs of the Temple community has made the work well worth it.
"Temple is such a great town with so many great people in it," Grant added.
Grant has grown her list of accolades since moving back to Temple. She is the current president of Temple's NAACP chapter and helped revive Temple's Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Gamma Psi Zeta chapter.
Grant's own organization, Zoe's Wings Foundation, has a special place in her heart because it directly helps people looking for better housing.
"I started the foundation in 2019 because there was a need in the City of Temple to get professional people to help them with repairing homes," Grant said. "Some people don't know where to turn to for help and that's why I'm here."
Grant hopes her story will inspire the youth and people her age to chase their dreams no matter what.
"It's very important that the young people know someone like me can be in this position and I can do anything my mind puts me to do," Grant said. "Even older women, I want [them] to know they don't have to stay at home and just watch things happen on the news. [They] can get out there and make a difference."
Grant is proud to represent the City of Temple and thanks her family and community for all of the support throughout her journey.
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