ABOUT JEFFREY

Creative Leadership for a Resilient Asheville

Personal Introduction

Jeffrey Burroughs (they/them) is an artist, entrepreneur, and community advocate who has helped shape the revitalization of Asheville’s River Arts District. Their work is about more than art. It is about building connection, opportunity, and resilience.

As an artist, Jeffrey turned vision into impact. As a small business owner, they created jobs, supported local makers, and strengthened Asheville’s creative economy. As a community organizer, Jeffrey brings people together across sectors to address real challenges and move ideas into action.

Jeffrey is ready to bring that collaborative, solutions driven approach to Asheville City Council, grounded in listening, showing up, building bridges, and creating tables large enough for everyone to sit at, and staying until the work gets done.

A woman with blonde hair and sunglasses stands in front of a colorful mural on a brick wall that reads 'You are powerful. You are loved.' She holds a coffee cup in one hand and a phone in the other and is wearing a black dress with a patterned coat, jewelry, and red boots.

From the River to the Ridge

Asheville’s story has always been one of care, ingenuity, and community.

After working with other leaders in the River Arts District following the devastating storm, Jeffrey witnessed how cooperation and shared purpose can restore a neighborhood. That experience reinforced a belief that practical problem solving rooted in collaboration strengthens communities far beyond a single district.

Today, Jeffrey brings that same approach to every corner of Asheville, from West Asheville to East End, from South Side to Montford. The focus is on affordable housing, strengthening local businesses, expanding access to opportunity, and ensuring every resident has a voice in how our city grows.

Where I Come From

Jeffrey grew up in a small farming town in Michigan, where responsibility and hard work started early.

Their first jobs were detasseling corn and working on an assembly line as a machine operator and welder. Those early experiences shaped how they view work, dignity, and stability, and continue to influence how they approach leadership and decision making.

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 involved in the fight for marriage equality at a time when legal recognition was far from guaranteed. This January, Jeffrey and their husband Jason just celebrated 18 years together, a partnership built on care and commitment.

Early in their career, Jeffrey focused on environmental leadership. While working in New York City with 9Thirty Theatre Company, they helped pioneer EcoTheatre, a movement that challenged the performing arts industry to rethink its environmental impact.

They helped establish sustainable production practices that are now widely recognized as industry standards. Jeffrey has spoken at universities including Yale and participated in panels nationwide on the relationship between environmental responsibility and the arts, and was also nominated for a 30 Under 30.

Family, Responsibility, & Care

At the heart of Jeffrey’s work is family.

Jeffrey and Jason have built a life rooted in partnership and shared responsibility, and their dogs Jak and Fox bring daily reminders of patience and joy. When their nephew needed a stable home, they adopted him at age 15. Becoming a parent deepened Jeffrey’s understanding of education, housing stability, mental health, and the systems families rely 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 decisions a city makes affect real people and real futures.