Dayne Walling

Dayne Walling is a candidate for Mayor of Flint, Michigan, a community activist, a local business owner, and Flint's only Rhode's scholar. Dayne is the owner of 21 Performance, a Flint-based company that works with nonprofit business and government organizations to create sustainable business models. Dayne hopes to win the seat of Mayor of Flint in the general election on August 4th, 2009.
Early Life and Education
Dayne was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. He attended Flint's public schools from kindergarten at Freeman Elementary through to his graduation from Flint Central High School in 1992. He then attended Michigan State University where he earned a degree in Social Relations in May, 1996. In addition, at Michigan State he worked as a community organizer with AmeriCorps in north Lansing.
In 1995, he received a Rhodes Scholarship and attended Oxford University, one of the world's oldest academic institutions. Following his graduation from Michigan State, he attended Oxford University full-time and earned his second Bachelor's Degree in History at Oxford. Shortly after, he attended the London Goldsmith College and earned a degree in Urban Studies in May, 1999.
History of Public Service
Dayne's career began with Washington, D.C.'s mayor Anthony A. Williams, he worked with neighborhood and church groups to coordinate grants and partnerships that created over 30 million dollars in economic, education, and housing funds for the local community. He also helped create the Office of Partnerships and Grants Development in D.C. in 1999. In addition, Dayne worked with the Urban Coalition in Minneapolis in the Public Relations Department from 2002-2006. In 2006, Dayne returned to Flint and continued work with Flint Club, an organization he founded with friends in 1999 to improve Flint through civic and community action. In Fall 2008, Dayne worked on President Obama's campaign as a regional coordinator based in Flint.
In Flint, Dayne is active in the Flint River Watershed Coalition, the Neighborhood Roundtable, the Flint Community Schools, and with his church, Court Street United Methodist Church.
21st Century Performance
21 Performance is a Flint-based company that works with nonprofit business,and government organizations to develop solutions that provide long-term sustainability and immediate impact. Entrepreneurial solutions that combine civic engagement, financial development, and creative thinking are the company's hallmarks.
Dayne Walling is the Owner and Manager of 21st Century Performance LLC. The new company is built on his previous experience including working and consulting for the Genesee Institute at the Genesee County Land Bank, the DC Mayor’s Office, University of Minnesota's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, OverExposure Arts, Ready 4 K, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Habitat for Humanity, and the Southern Africa Environment Project.
Current projects include working to increase civic and voter engagement through the national Center for Civic Participation’s State Voices project and designing innovative programs for nonprofit and businesses in Flint, Michigan.
2007 Mayoral Election
In 2007, Dayne ran in a highly contested election for Mayor of Flint, but lost to recent controversial mayor Don Williamson. Some critics believe Dayne lost due to unethical tactics on behalf of the Williamson campaign, which includes supposed bribing of voters through his wife, Patsy Lou Williamson's, car dealership. Williamson won by less than 2 percent of the vote, the closest margin in a Flint mayoral election in more than 30 years. The race was hard fought and Dayne lost by only 581 votes. The Walling campaign spent $280,000, which included a $10,000 personal debt. Over 1,000 people contributed to the campaign.
2009 Mayoral Campaign
Following the early resignation of Don Williamson, Dayne ran for office once more. Dayne won the May 2009, primary election with an overwhelming majority of voters with nearly 45 percent. His largest opponent, former State Representative Brenda Clack came in second with roughly 16 percent of the vote, beating out Daryl Buchanan by 15 votes.
In addition, former mayoral candidate, Gregory Eason, officially endorsed Dayne on June 10th, 2009. Eason expressed, "We cannot afford to continue doing things the same old way." In reference to Flint's particular political history of corruption and failed policies. In addition to Eason, former State Representative Vera Rison spoke in support of Walling.

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