The first Black Wilson City Council member, Dr. G, K. Butterfield, Sr., was elected in 1953. Since that time, many Black leaders have served as Council Members. Especially during Black History Month we recognize the contributions of the men and women who helped shape Wilson by their leadership. 

Dr. G. K. Butterfield Sr.

Dr. G.K. Butterfield, Sr., a Dentist, was elected to the Wilson Board of City Aldermen in 1953 and then re-elected in 1955.

His son, G.K. Butterfield Jr., served in the U.S. House of Representatives for many years. In 2024, the Wilson Train Station was renamed the G. K. Butterfield Station in honor of his contributions to Wilson. The younger Butterfield was also a Superior Court judge and then an Associate Justice on the N.C. Supreme Court. 

Avent P. Coleman

Avant P. Coleman was elected to the Wilson City Council in 1975 and served until 1977, elected again in 1979 and served until 1995, and finally re-elected in 1999 and served until he resigned in 2019. He served as Mayor Pro Tem for 16 years. He was a retired Cooperative Extension Agent in Wilson County.

Councilman Coleman received his M.S. degree in Adult Education from NC State University in Raleigh and his Bachelor of Science from N.C. A&T in Greensboro. He was named to the Board of Trustees for the N.C. Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System by former governor Mike Easley. He served on numerous boards during his political career, including a term as President of the NC League of Municipalities in 1991-1992. In 1996, he was named Wilson’s Distinguished Citizen by the Wilson Chamber of Commerce. He died in January 2022.

Gwen Burton

Gwen Burton was the first African-American woman elected to the Wilson City Council in 1983 and served continuously until 2015.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science at N.C. A&T State University in Greensboro before attending law school at N.C. Central University in Durham. She taught school and was a volunteer at Opportunity Industrialization Commission, a local non-profit group.

She interned with Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm of New York and for Judge Henry Frye, former Chief Justice of the N.C. Supreme Court.

Willie J. "Bill" Pitt

Willie J. “Bill” Pitt was elected to the Wilson City Council in 1992 and served until 2005. After a four-year break, he was re-elected in 2009 and served until retiring in 2013. He was active with the National League of Cities and was invited to the White House in 2011 as a representative of his city and state.

He was a retired Air Force master sergeant and postal worker. He died in June 2021.

Harry Faison

Harry J. Faison was elected to the Wilson City Council in 1995 and served until 1999.

Sarah Hardy

Sarah Hardy was elected to the Wilson City Council in 1995 and served until 1997.

Doris Jones

Doris Jones was elected to the Wilson City Council in 2005 and served until 2009.

Derrick Creech

Councilman Creech is a lifelong resident of Wilson County. He graduated from Charles H. Darden High School in 1970 and attended Winston-Salem State University. He worked at Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., Wilson Community Improvement Association, and Wilson Community College, where he retired in 2013.

He has received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton), a master’s degree in adult education from East Carolina University, and additional studies at Appalachian State University and Bowie State College. Community activities are Board of Trustees, WCIA; Community Action Committee, Wesley Shelter; Employment Security Commission Job Link Committee; Wilson County Department of Social Services Work First Committee; Past President, Community College Recruiters Opportunities Program. Awards include Wilson Human Relations Distinguished Service to the Wilson Community — 2003; Award of Appreciation, Mt. Hebron Lodge #42, 1996; Customer Service Award, Wilson Employment Security Commission; Member of Trinity AME Zion and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity. Term expires December 2025.

Dr. Michael Bell

Dr. Bell was elected to City Council in 2015. He earned his undergraduate degree in Religious Studies at Jamaica Open Bible Institute. He also received his diploma in Business Management from the Institute of Management and Production, and a M.A. and D.R.E. from the Evangelical Bible Seminary.

Dr. Bell presently serves as the Presiding Elder of the Wilson District, Cape Fear Conference A.M.E. Zion Church. He also serves as the Executive Director of the St. John Community Development Corporation, Inc. In 2005 he founded S.A.Y. (Save-A-Youth) which offers after school, summer camp, and vocation programs to over 350 at-risk youths at two different sites. He also led the St. John CDC non-profit in developing the historic Terminal Drug Store building that now hosts an independent drugstore, restaurant, flower shop, and community outreach center with future housing on the second floor. Dr. Bell is also author of “Constant Contact,” “Winning Them and Keeping Them,” and “Bullies, Buddies and Bangers.”

Dr. Bell came to Wilson with a passion to help hurting families find hope. His vision for the Wilson Neighborhood Renaissance Project is to revitalize the community by creating an economic and social engine to bring back the optimism and beauty to the neighborhood. He serves on several local and denominational boards. Term expires December 2027.

Gillettia M. Morgan

Gillettia M. Morgan was elected in November 2019 to represent District 1 and sworn into office in December. She has worked for more than 20 years in social services, client advocacy, strategy planning, and case management, including currently for the N.C. Department of Human Services, where she is responsible for monitoring the Work First Program in 38 counties. Previously, she worked for the Wilson County Department of Social Services as a caseworker II first and then a social worker II.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from N.C. Central University, a master’s degree in public administration from Strayer University and is pursuing a doctorate in public administration from Capella University. Term expires December 2027.

Mayor Carlton Stevens 

A product of Wilson County Schools and a proud graduate of E.T. Beddingfield High School, Carlton L. Stevens Jr. was elected as the City of Wilson’s mayor on Nov. 5, 2019 and re-elected in 2023.

Following his graduation from E.T. Beddingfield High School in June 1993, Carlton joined the U.S. Army. At the end of his Tour of Duty Carlton returned to Wilson and began his educational endeavors.

Over the past 20 years, Carlton has served his community in many capacities including a mentor for at-risk youth, tutor, and mental health paraprofessional. He has served as a middle school math teacher and school administrator, as well as in his family's business, Stevens Funeral Home. 

His term as Mayor expires in December 2027.