Rawlson King is Ottawa's first black City Councillor who represents Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward. He was initially elected in a historic by-election held April 2019 and was re-elected in October 2022.

He is currently is Chair of the Built Heritage Committee and serves as the Council Liaison for Anti-Racism and Ethnocultural Relations Initiatives. He served as Deputy Mayor from June to December 2024. King is known for his advocacy on issues related to social justice, affordable housing and community development. His work often focuses on improving the quality of life for residents in his Ward and across the City of Ottawa. Prior to his political career, King worked in the technology sector and was involved in various local community organizations.

Recognized for his volunteer work, he won a United Way Ottawa Community Builder of the Year Award in 2018 and was a recipient of a Special Recognition Award from Black History Ottawa in 2021. In 2025, he was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition for public service.

King was born and raised in Toronto, where he was educated at Bayview Glen School. He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Journalism and Law, and a M.A. in Communication from Carleton University. He also holds the Certified Association Executive designation from the Canadian Society of Association Executives.

A proud Carleton alumnus, he and his wife personally established the Rawlson King and Linda Grussani Scholarship for Indigenous, Black and Racialized Students at Carleton University in 2022. He has lived with his wife in Overbrook since 2004.