Hi, I’m Terry. I am a poet, slam champion, community organizer, and social democrat born and raised in Southwest Berkeley. Before being elected to represent District 2 on the City Council, I served as Vice-Chair of Berkeley’s Transportation Commission and a California Assembly District 15 associate member of the Alameda County Democratic Party Central Committee. I’ve previously served the City of Berkeley on the Grants Committee of the Children, Youth, and Recreation Commission and the Grants Committee of the Civic Arts Commission.

As an openly gay, working-class Black man raised in West Berkeley by a single mother, I am no stranger to stigma and prejudice. Fortunately, I have been able to grow up in a city that champions justice and social change. I have always had influential teachers and mentors, especially women of color, women, and religious minorities, all of whom instilled me with courage and dedication to advocacy and civic engagement.

For these reasons, I am immensely proud to be an alumnus of Berkeley Public Schools, Berkeley City College, and Saint Mary’s College of California. My great-grandfather was a Texan farmer who fled racial violence in the South, my grandfather was a Navy vet, and my grandmother is a retired nurse. My father is a retired accountant who served BUSD and the City of Richmond. My mother is a retired in-home elder care provider. My husband is a psychiatric nurse, and my sister is an IHSS care provider. Social justice and compassionate service have always been core beliefs of mine.

As your District 2 City Councilmember, I will build upon and amplify my role as a champion of racial justice and social equity in the City of Berkeley.

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View previous campaigns.

Latest Updates

  • Councilmember Taplin Statement on Interim Regulations for Police Accountability Board
    October 5, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “I am proud to be from a city that was first in the nation to pioneer civilian oversight of police. I was proud to vote for Measure II last year, along with many District 2 voters who chose me to represent them. However, I remain concerned with the City Council’s approval of interim regulations without concretely […]
  • Councilmember Taplin Statement on Where Do We Go v. Caltrans Ruling
    September 27, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “I am disappointed by District Court Judge Edward Chen’s decision to keep people living at the Ashby Shellmound encampment. A freeway exit is not a stable, secure, or sustainable location for anyone, let alone vulnerable and marginalized individuals. The City of Berkeley, Alameda County, and our community partners at Dorothy Day House and Rebuilding Together have […]
  • Councilmember Taplin Statement on Shootings in Southwest Berkeley
    September 24, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE “It has been just 20 days since my last statement on a shooting in District 2. I am heartbroken by the news of two more shootings in our community last night, with one that sent a young girl to the hospital. I am relieved to hear that her injuries were not life-threatening, but deeply upset by […]
  • 9/25 Joint Office Hours in the Park with CM. Kesarwani
    Sept 25th,12:00p-2:00pStrawberry Creek Park Join Councilmember Taplin and Councilmember Kesarwani (D1) for joint office hours in the park!
  • Safety Measures
    From the beginning, public safety has been a top priority. I have called this community home for thirty three years and believe that all of us and our families deserve safe streets, safe parks, and safe neighborhoods.  Over this year, I have met with neighbors throughout District 2 to hear their public safety concerns, have supported the formation […]

Talk with Terry

Send a message to ttaplin@cityofberkeley.info to schedule a meeting, or go to the Office Hours in the Park!

Events

  • 9/25 Joint Office Hours in the Park with CM. Kesarwani
    Sept 25th,12:00p-2:00pStrawberry Creek Park Join Councilmember Taplin and Councilmember Kesarwani (D1) for joint office hours in the park!
  • 9/25 Community Safety Pop Up
    Sept 25th, 3-5pmSan Pablo Park (North side of Frances Albrier) Join Councilmember Taplin and BPD for a community safety popup!
  • Office Hours in the Park!
    Join Councilmember Taplin for Outdoor Office Hours! 12:00 – 1:00pm! First Saturdays:George Florence Second Saturdays:Dreamland at Aquatic Park Third Saturdays:San Pablo Park(North side of Frances Albrier) Fourth Saturdays:Strawberry Creek Park
  • Community Safety Pop Up Sept 5
    Sept 5th, 12-2pmGeorge Florence Park Join Councilmember Taplin for a community safety pop up!
  • 8/29 Community Safety Pop Up!
    Sunday August 29th, 12:30 -2pm at Strawberry Creek Part Join Councilmember Taplin for a Community Safety Pop Up!