As a Black gay man and full-time caregiver to his mother, Terry understands the struggle that faces far too many low- and middle-income Berkeley residents, especially people of color.
Meet Terry
Berkeley City Councilmember Terry Taplin is an author, mobility and climate champion, and a caretaker for a disabled parent. Having grown up in Southwest Berkeley, Councilmember Taplin has always had a deep love for our diverse and eclectic mix of artists, makers, industrial workers, small businesses, our multiethnic and intercultural neighborhoods, and our beloved West Berkeley and waterfront parks.
As a Black gay man and full-time caregiver to his mother, Terry understands the struggle that faces far too many low- and middle-income Berkeley residents, especially people of color. Having lived through years of neglect and underinvestment in our local economy and infrastructure, he has seen first-hand the shortcomings of previous councils over the decades which spurred his passion for public service. Today, he is proud to fight on behalf of each of our neighborhoods for all of our West and South Berkeley households.
Councilmember Taplin is proud to come from a long line of public servants and healthcare workers. Before his election to City Council, he was completing his Master’s in Creative Writing at Saint Mary’s College where he obtained his Bachelor’s in Classical Languages: Ancient Greek and Latin. As his mother’s diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis and Diabetes escalated, he and his sister (an in-home healthcare provider) and his husband (a psychiatric nurse) continued to care for her together. Eventually, he followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and set out on a path of lifelong service to the community that has given him and his family so much.
Councilmember Taplin is running for re-election to ensure working families have a voice at City Hall fighting for them. Since his election in 2020, Councilmember Taplin has been a tireless advocate for West Berkeley communities, securing more money for repaving in West Berkeley, $15 million worth of investments to improve the Marina and new West Berkeley parks, as well as successfully negotiating more than $33 million in biotech development for community education and resilience initiatives.
Councilmember Taplin believes that a government for and by the people can be a force for good. Councilmember Taplin believes that a government for and by the people can be a force for good. During his first term, he has also advanced a comprehensive approach to public safety, including new security cameras and automated license plate readers to investigate gun and auto-related crimes in West Berkeley with protections for civil liberties and privacy rights. He also supported citywide efforts to address homelessness through new programs for permanent supportive and transitional housing, non-congregant shelter, and safe RV parking. As Councilmember, he has been a firm advocate for working people and their ability to collectively bargain for pay equity and safe working conditions, championing hazard pay for grocery workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Outside of his work on Council, Terry also enjoys riding his e-bike along the Bay Trail, visiting new West Berkeley restaurants, and supporting our local arts organizations.
