Ottawa Community and Business Leader Fred Sherman Endorses Rawlson King for Re-Election as City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe

OTTAWA, Ontario, August 21, 2026 — Fred Sherman, a veteran public affairs strategist and longtime community builder in the National Capital, today announced his strong endorsement of Rawlson King for re-election as City Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward in the October 26 municipal election.

"I am pleased to endorse Rawlson King for re-election as Councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe. I have known Rawlson for many years and attest to his integrity, work ethic, and dedication to the residents he serves, as well as to our greater community. He understands that leadership is about listening carefully, building trust, and working collaboratively to get good things done. Yes, being thoughtful and practical, he gets it done. I encourage residents of Rideau-Rockcliffe to support Rawlson King on October 26."

— Fred Sherman

Fred Sherman has more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications and public affairs. He is the principal of Hill Solutions and served as a Director of Communications at the Parliament of Canada. His portfolio spans national-scale initiatives for Canada's Digital Policy Forum, the Public Service Commission, the Treasury Board, Health Canada, National Defence, and the Parliament of Canada, and he counsels political stakeholders, public servants, business executives, and academic institutions. As a policy expert, he helped craft both the historic 1995 Black History Month motion and the 2014 Lincoln Alexander Day motion, both unanimously adopted by the Parliament of Canada.

Sherman's commitment to community runs deep. He has contributed to the growth of Jaku Konbit, an Ottawa-based community organization that was among only 12 selected from across Canada to collaborate with the Department of Justice in addressing anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination within the criminal justice system. Jaku Konbit has served the national capital community since 2000, assisting individuals and families of African and Caribbean descent in engaging in economic and civic life. Sherman has also served as a Director on the Board of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and as Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee at Rogers Centre Ottawa, bringing his governance experience to bear across a wide range of public and community institutions.

A graduate of the University of Windsor in Political Science and Public Administration, Sherman was also a founding steward of a University of Ottawa Law Faculty Endowment Fund for disadvantaged students. He has served on community boards including the University of Windsor Board of Governors, the United Way, the Social Planning Council of Ottawa, and Leadership Ottawa, and coached youth in the Gloucester Cumberland Basketball Association.

Sherman is also a noted commentator, having served as editor-in-chief of Planet Africa Magazine and producer of Nexus Africa Radio, reflecting a lifelong commitment to amplifying diverse voices in the national capital region.

Sherman is proud to support Rawlson King due to his accomplishments in office. During King's seven years in office, the Councillor facilitated nearly $397 million in infrastructure investments and $120 million for affordable housing within Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward, and championed a poverty reduction strategy, a food security policy, and an anti-racism strategy for the entire City of Ottawa. King is Ottawa's first Black City Councillor, representing Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward since his historic by-election victory in April 2019 and re-election in October 2022. King served as Deputy Mayor from June to December 2024 and received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 in recognition of his public service.

King expressed his gratitude for the endorsement.

"I am deeply honoured to have the support of Fred Sherman, a man who has dedicated his career to building a stronger, more inclusive community and country with our youth in mind. Fred knows our community intimately, and his confidence means a great deal to me. The work we have accomplished together over the past seven years reflects what is possible when people of goodwill come together with a shared commitment to public service. I look forward to continuing that work on behalf of every resident in our ward."

— Rawlson King, City Councillor, Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward

Residents of Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward are encouraged to vote for Rawlson King on October 26.