ABOUT JEFFREY
Creative Leadership for a Resilient Asheville
Personal Introduction
Jeffrey Burroughs (they/them) is an artist, entrepreneur, and community advocate who continues to play a leading role in the revitalization of Asheville’s River Arts District.
Their work has always been about more than art. It is about building connection, opportunity, and resilience.
As an artist, Jeffrey turned imagination into impact. As a small business owner, they created jobs, supported local makers, and helped strengthen Asheville’s creative economy. As a community leader, Jeffrey has brought people together across sectors to address real challenges, from post flood recovery efforts to revitalizing arts spaces that anchor neighborhood identity.
Now, Jeffrey is ready to bring that same collaborative and solutions driven approach to Asheville City Council, grounded in listening, showing up, and making space for others to lead.
Where I Come From
Jeffrey grew up in a small farming town in Michigan, where hard work was expected and responsibility came early. They held their first job at 13 years and 9 months, detasseling corn alongside other local kids who relied on seasonal work.
As a teenager, Jeffrey also worked second and third shift on an assembly line at a car manufacturing plant as a machine operator and welder. That experience shaped how they view work, dignity, and stability. It reinforced the importance of safe workplaces, fair wages, and the pride that comes from earning a living through demanding labor.
Those early years continue to inform how Jeffrey approaches leadership and decision making, with deep respect for working people and the realities families face every day.
A Lifelong Commitment to Equality & Sustainability
Long before running for public office, Jeffrey’s work was grounded in the belief that everyone deserves dignity, equality, and the freedom to live authentically.
They were actively involved in the fight for marriage equality, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights during a time when legal recognition and protection were far from guaranteed. That work was deeply personal. This January, Jeffrey and their husband Jason will celebrate 18 years together, a partnership built on love, resilience, and shared responsibility.
That same sense of responsibility guided Jeffrey’s environmental leadership early in their career. While working in New York City with 9Thirty Theatre Company, they helped pioneer what became known as EcoTheatre, a movement that challenged the performing arts industry to rethink its environmental footprint. Together, they helped establish sustainable production practices that are now widely recognized as industry standards.
Jeffrey spoke at universities including Yale and participated in panels nationwide, exploring the relationship between environmental responsibility and the arts, and how culture can influence long term change. That work reinforced a core belief that sustainability is not a trend. It is a daily practice rooted in accountability and foresight.
Family, Responsibility, & Care
At the heart of Jeffrey’s work is family.
Jeffrey and Jason have built a life rooted in partnership, care, and shared commitment. Their family includes their two dogs, Jak and Fox, who bring daily reminders of patience, loyalty, and joy.
Family also means stepping up when it matters most. When their nephew needed a stable home, Jeffrey and Jason adopted him at the age of 15. Becoming parents deepened Jeffrey’s understanding of education, housing stability, mental health, and the systems families depend on when life changes unexpectedly.
These experiences shape how Jeffrey leads and listens. They reinforce the belief that public policy is personal, and that the choices we make as a city affect real people and real futures.
From the River to the Ridge
Asheville’s story has always been one of care, ingenuity, and community. After helping lead the recovery and renewal of the River Arts District following devastating floods, Jeffrey witnessed how cooperation and shared purpose can restore a neighborhood.
That experience demonstrated that problem solving rooted in collaboration can strengthen communities far beyond a single district.
Today, Jeffrey brings that same approach citywide, from West Asheville to East End, from South Side to Montford. Their focus is on strengthening local businesses, expanding access to opportunity, and ensuring every resident has a voice in how Asheville grows.
Together, we can build a city that reflects the compassion, resourcefulness, and courage of everyone who calls it home.
GUIDING PRINCIPALS
Creativity as Problem Solving
Innovation and imagination are essential tools for addressing complex challenges. Jeffrey believes thoughtful problem solving and openness to new ideas lead to smarter, more responsive policy.
Equity
as Practice
Equity means ensuring access to opportunity across neighborhoods, incomes, and identities. It requires intention, consistency, and follow through in every decision a city makes.
Community
as Action
Progress happens when people work together. Jeffrey believes leadership is about collaboration, shared accountability, and building trust that lasts.