Honoring Black History: Ferguson mayor reflects on her historic term
FERGUSON, Mo. – Breaking barriers and making history. Ella Jones became the first Black person elected to the Ferguson City Council in April 2015. In June 2020, she became the city's first Black mayor.
Mayor Jones says she's working to create change and bridge divides in Ferguson, a city forever changed by the fight for racial justice.
Jones' leadership marked a new chapter in the community push for reform and progress.
'This month is special; when we stop and take a look at everyone who has contributed to building this country,' she said.
Her election proved that change is possible when communities come together.
'I was at the Emerson Family YMCA yesterday, and they were building their wall of Black history, and when I walked through, I saw my picture,' Jones said. 'I was like, 'Wow, I'm not dead!' I'm still yet alive, and I still can make a difference in a community. I still can make a difference in this world.'
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Her election came at a critical time for the city, which gained national attention following the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown, an event that sparked nationwide protests and ignited the Black Lives Matter movement.
'Black history to me is getting out here…be of service, improve your community and make it the best place that you would want to stay, and invite others to live next to you,' Jones said.
Jones stepped into the mayor's office with a commitment to police reform, economic development, and community healing. She campaigned on bringing people together, ensuring transparency in government, and fostering trust between law enforcement and residents.
'When you live in a community, you have to give back…you have to participate. I travel all over the city, all over the United States, talking about Ferguson,' she said.
'But my number one thing that I share – people are not interested in how much you know until you show them how much you care. And that builds trust. If you have leaders that you can't trust, then the whole community is up in an uproar, and it's confused. But when you have leaders that listen to you, and you can trust them, that makes a difference.'
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