WILMINGTON — A man who has been active on the Port City’s political scene for decades and helped oversee many community events and served on various boards has died.
Hollis Briggs was 67 years old and leaves behind his wife, Tammie Bragg Briggs, and five children.
Briggs grew up in Wilmington and attended John T. Hoggard High. He moved away as a young adult and worked in the restaurant industry as a chef in Atlanta and for Figure Eight Yacht Club upon returning to southeastern North Carolina. In the last decade or so, Briggs was a case manager for an area law firm and CEO of Northwest Traffic Services.
Reared in what he called “The Bottom” of downtown Wilmington — between Market and Castle streets and Seventh and 17th streets — Briggs returned from Atlanta in the 1990s. The city asked him to start a neighborhood group to help improve and connect with area residents. It became the Bottom Neighborhood Empowerment Association and Briggs told WHQR his goal was to inform people on asking critical questions and accessing needed resources, whether it had to do with stormwater and flooding or something else.
His advocacy and leadership would continue to be felt across multiple sectors of the city. Briggs led the MLK Celebration Committee and helped plan the annual parade and banquet locally. He also was appointed as U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Commissioner by Gov. Mike Easley from 2006 to 2013, became a member of the Wilmington Tree Commission, and was part of the advisory boards that led to the passing of the 2014 Transportation Bond and later the 2016 Parks Bond.
A Democrat, Briggs ran for many political seats in the region, including in 2018 for the House of Representatives District 1, though Sandra Spaulding Hughes won. He also had two unsuccessful bids for city council in 2015 and 2017.
He told Port City Daily in 2017 he was running for office because he cared about increased economic opportunities for all people and better recreational opportunities to help steer kids in a positive direction. Mostly, however, he said: “I love this city and the people in it.”
His affability and interest in bringing community together made him a friend to many locals and politicians from both sides of the aisle.
“Hollis was a friend of mine years ago,” according to Wilmington City Councilman Charlie Rivenbark. “Hollis has a million friends and was never at a loss for words. We had been around for so long that Hollis always joked that he and I knew where all the bodies were buried.”
Briggs ran political campaigns for both Julia-Olson Boseman and Susi Hamilton, and also served on local boards, including Wilmington Housing Authority. He also was active on the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority board and its numerous committees since 2019. In a statement released by the authority, it indicated:
“He was known for his interest in the well-being of CFPUA employees at all levels of the organization, and he often would stop to speak with staff when he encountered them working in the community.”
His fellow board members, including Rivenbark, commended Briggs.
“He did an exemplary job as a member of the CFPUA Board of Directors, and no one will ever forget the fact that the annual MLK Parade would not have risen to the size and impact on this community, that it has without Hollis’ drive and determination,” Rivenbark continued. “He was a good man, and I will miss my friend Hollis!”
CFPUA Chairwoman Jennifer Adams recognized Briggs’ “positive spirit and camaraderie,” while NHC Commissioner and CFPUA board member Dane Scalise called his leadership “thoughtful.”
“Hollis helped bring our community closer together,” Scalise said. “His warmth, integrity, and devotion will be greatly missed.”
Commissioner Rob Zapple said Briggs deserved the community’s “deepest gratitude” for his hard work’s reach and impact.
“The wonderful MLK Parade and MLK Banquet served as a rallying cry for all of southeastern North Carolina, reminding us that we are all better when we come together and share in a day of remembrance, respect, and love,” Zapple wrote.
The National Black Leadership Caucus of New Hanover County also released a statement. Caucus chair Sonya Bennetone-Patrick wrote Hollis was a faithful servant, who also was recognized by the caucus in 2018 as its MLK Honoree for the 50th Anniversary and in 2025 as the Black Lives Matter Honoree. “We are saddened to hear of the passing of community leader. Please keep his wife Tammie and family in your prayers.”
Funeral arrangements are pending for Briggs; check back for more details.
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