Monique Holsey-Hyman

Monique Holsey-Hyman (born November 10, 1965) is an American social worker, professor, and politician. Prior to her work in politics and academia, Holsey-Hyman worked as a social worker in New York City. She was a caseworker for the New York City Human Resources Administration, served as Director of the Intensive Care Management Program at the Steinway Child and Family Services Center of Queens, served as the Bronx Director of Case Management, and was the Center Director for the Community Healthcare Network. Holsey-Hyman also served as a consultant for Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Centers, Brooklyn Hospital Center, and the New York City Housing Authority.

Since 2018, she serves on the faculty at North Carolina Central University, as the assistant professor of social work, and formerly served on the faculty as an adjunct professor at Berkeley College and as the curriculum coordinator and special assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for Retention and Recruitment at Shaw University. In 2022, Holsey-Hyman was appointed to the Durham City Council.

In March 2023, Holsey-Hyman was accused of extortion. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation investigated the claims and, in September 2023, closed the investigation due to a lack of cooperation from the original complainants.

Early life and education Holsey-Hyman was born and raised in the South Bronx in New York City. She is the daughter of Lee Belton Holsey and a granddaughter of Lee Holsey and Cornelius Carter Holsey.

She graduated from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in 1982. In 1986, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in human services and sociology from Binghamton University.

Career Social work In 1986, Holsey-Hyman became a caseworker for the New York City Human Resources Administration and the Child Welfare Administration. In 1995, she worked for the not-for-profit areana at Steinway Child and Family Services in Queens, New York.

She also worked as a consultant for Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Centers, Brooklyn Hospital Center, and the New York City Housing Authority.

Politics In 2022, Holsey-Hyman was selected to finish the Durham City Council term of Councilman Charlie Reece, who resigned to move to Paris. She was selected unanimously out of over twently candidates who applied to fill the vacant seat in the city council. She was sworn into office on May 11, 2022.

She was appointed by Mayor Elaine O'Neal to serve on the Affordable Housing Implementation Committee, the Citizens Advisory Committee, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Orange Work Group, the Council Legislative Committee, the Northeast Central Durham Subcommittee, the Recreation Advisory Commission, Sister Cities of Durham, and the Upper Neuse River Basin Association Board of Directors. Mayor Elaine O'Neal and Councilwoman DeDreana Freeman also voted against the annexation. Rehberg stated that while she formally made the accusation on March 23, had notified the council of her concerns on March 13. In her defense speech, Holsey-Hyman stated, "I've come through a lot of storms. But never has my character been questioned." Johnson made a statement saying that the allegations "reflect on our entire council, our city, our commitments to our community, and the way we use our power and authority."

On March 27, 2023, Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry announced that the State Bureau was asked to investigate allegations made against a Durham City Council member.

At the Durham City Council meeting on April 3, 2023, where the council had planned to vote on censuring Holsey-Hyman, the voting did not take place.

In June 2023, Durham city attorney Kimberly Rehberg, at the requests of Holsey-Hyman, O'Neal, and Freeman, sent a certified letter to the Wikimedia Foundation requesting for the identities of three Wikipedia editors who had worked on the politicians' articles to be revealed, along with individual changes requested to be made to the aforementioned articles. Holsey-Hyman in particular contended the coverage in her article regarding the accusations of extortion against her, stating that the allegations were "fabricated". As a result, she sought to be given the identities of two of the previously mentioned Wikipedia editors- one, who created her article and wrote much of its content, and another, who "insisted on preserving a link to Durham City Councilwoman Jillian Johnson". The user who created Holsey-Hyman's page was also requested to have their identity revealed by Freeman, who stated that she felt "deep unease" over the fact that the user had created both Holsey-Hyman and Freeman's articles. The requests were denied.

In September 2023, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation concluded its investigation, finding that there was no evidence to support the extortion allegations against Holsey-Hyman.