Brenda Priestly Jackson, an attorney and educator, was elected to represent District 10 on the Jacksonville City Council in May 2019, and began serving the neighbors of District 10 and Jacksonville on July 1, 2019. Brenda is grateful for this opportunity to foster, understanding, justice and equity for neighbors in Jacksonville.
Brenda shares that during this current term, together with neighbors, civic organizations and non-profits, the executive branch-mayor, colleagues on the City Council and other elected officials, we have achieved so much in three and one-half years.
Together we have introduced and supported legislation and funding to:
-stop the proposed sale of our municipal utility (JEA)-Resolution 2019-894;
-provide ARP funding to support neighbors facing financial hardships and unable to pay their rent, mortgage and/or utility bills;
-provide ARP grants to colleges/universities (Edward Waters University), non-profits (I Am A Star Foundation, Omega Ps Phi Fraternity-Omega Lamp Lighters, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity-Kappa League, apprenticeship programs), faith based institutions (Historic Mt. Zion AMEC) and others to combat the challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic;
- increase revenue for Duval County Public Schools to build and repair public schools, increase teachers’ salaries and support the arts, athletics and school choice options;
-remodel and improve public libraries, namely the remodeling of the Webb Wesconnett Regional Library’s Children’s Department;
-the development of affordable housing and Habijax with the “tiny-houses” of Navaho development;
-fund Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for various Public Works projects throughout District 10 including Ordinance 2021-186 (appropriating $3.3 million to $10 million for intersection improvements, major and minor drainage systems repairs, roads and sidewalks);
-new equipment and improvements to The Legends Center and parks in District 10;
-allocate funding in excess of $2.5 million to prevent neighbors who were on JEA’s disconnect list from experiencing electric and water disconnections;
-increase the local option gas tax to fund $300 million in septic tank removal and JEA utility connections, improve JTA transportation and bus services to neighbors, create jobs, research and develop autonomous vehicles and improve roads and highways;
-fund additional non-profits with $3 million through the Social Justice and Community Investment Committee; and,
-commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Ax Handle Saturday
Together, we have also worked and served to address the challenges our neighbors and city, Jacksonville, face. This work and service includes: serving on the JEA Special Investigative Committee (SIC); the Human Rights Ordinance (HRO); serving on the Social Justice and Community Investment Committee to address ethno-racial reckoning caused by the murders of Ahmaud Arberry, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others; fed neighbors with local partners including Feeding Northeast Florida and the Sulzabacher Center; additional funding to mitigate foreclosures and evictions; address the vacancy created in the position of the sheriff of JSO; and, redistricting.
Together we began this journey of service to neighbors and Jacksonville to address a good quality of life, educational access and economic opportunities. We created the District 10 Neighbors Advisory Council to service the needs of both NW and SW District 10 neighbors. It was the District 10 Neighbors Advisory Council that helped shape the agenda for our work and service over the last three and one-half years and our neighbors who gave of their time and ideas at community meetings too. I am grateful to each neighbor who helps District 10.
Brenda is married to DeAndre’ Jackson, her college sweetheart and a longtime teacher, and they are the grateful parents of four, Kya, Kalif, Malik (Stephanie) and Imani. Brenda is attorney, educator, small business owner, neighbor and friend. As such, Brenda is a fourth generation Floridian on her paternal side and in grace shares that some of her maternal ancestors were enslaved in Fernandina, Florida for generations and it is the legacy of her ancestors, elders, family members and friends that inspires her service.