Kismet Loftin-Bell

Long-time resident, educator and community advocate, Kismet Loftin-Bell is a candidate for the East Ward Winston-Salem City Council seat. 

“In the East Ward, we have a lack of economic development, where we have blocks of empty shopping centers and housing units,” said Ms. Loftin-Bell. “Many of our major roads are in disrepair and residents have difficulty getting out of neighborhoods due to road closures and traffic coming from I-40 Business. We are in a food desert with only one major grocery store. And the cleanliness and upkeep of the community is minimal.”

Kismet Loftin-Bell has been a resident in Winston-Salem for 13 years and a resident of the East Ward for 7 years. She is a consultant and Political Science professor and has been very active in the Winston-Salem community. A Fellow of the NC Institute of Political Leadership, Ms. Loftin-Bell is also a graduate of the City of Winston-Salem University and the United Way of Forsyth County’s Project Blueprint. Her community involvement includes having served on the boards of Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods, the Winston Salem Urban League, Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, and the joint city/county Community Appearance Commission.   

“As a member of city council representing the East Ward, I will continue my service to the community by working to stop gentrification and the pushing out of long-term residents,” said Ms. Loftin-Bell. “I will work with my fellow residents and local organizations to develop plans to bring in new businesses, including small and minority- and women-owned businesses, while helping to sustain our existing ones. I will work to increase quality affordable housing and help to revitalize our current neighborhoods.”   

Much of Kismet’s work has been in the non-profit sector helping to provide programming and services to the community, including running a food pantry, clothes closet, an after-school care program, and a free medical clinic; co-leading the summer youth employment program; helping to prevent and reduce juvenile crime; and working to improve health outcomes, including infant mortality.

Click here to read Kismet’s plan for her first 100 days in office. 

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