Jarvis Johnson

Jarvis D. Johnson (born September 27, 1971) is an elected official currently holding office as a District Council Member in the city of Houston, Texas District B.

Early years and professional career

Johnson grew up in Fifth Ward, Houston historical political district (ward) and a community of Houston, Texas, United States, northeast of Downtown. It is bounded by the Buffalo Bayou, Jensen Drive, Liberty Road, and Lockwood Drive.

During his early teens, Johnson and his sister Velika became two of the founding members of the Mickey Leland Youth Task Forces (MLYTF). This was one of the few programs that allowed all of the youth to develop character, inspire understanding, train the mind “how to think” rather than what to think; and provided guidance in helping youth on how to be active participants in life rather than mere spectators.

He graduated with a Bachelors from the Texas Southern University, and while attending Texas Southern University at the age of 22, Johnson accepted the responsibility to become Executive Director of the Phoenix Outreach Youth Center (POYC) and has been a positive inspiration in the lives of many young people. Council Member Johnson later resigned his position as executive director to focus his efforts on District B as a full-time city council member.

Political career

In 2005, Johnson ran for Houston City Council District B, a seat held by term limited Carol M. Galloway. In an 8 candidate District B race, Johnson received nearly 4,000 votes, solidifying a spot in the December run off election. In December 2005, Johnson won the Houston City Council District B race by over 60% of the vote, and has since been re-elected to a second and third term.

Since 2005, Johnson has adopted the internal and external mantra of “Leading By Example.” The mantra compliments the District’s goals that have been outlined by both Johnson and the constituents of District B. Specifically, Johnson has committed himself to the development of sustainable mixed-income communities, comfortable and stable living for senior citizens, more green space for parks, and better commercialism for urban communities. By accomplishing the aforementioned goals, District B will experience an improved quality of life for its over 250,000 constituents.

Johnson inspects a worn house in District B.

Johnson continues his mission of improved quality of life as chair of the City of Houston’s Human Services and Technology Access Committee. As Chair of this committee, Johnson considers strategies to achieve digital inclusion for all Houstonians as well as methods to improve access to human services throughout the community, with a specific focus on serving youth and senior citizens.

Johnson also serves on the Houston City Council Flooding and Drainage, Housing and Community Development, International Liaison and Protocol, M/WBE, Small Contractor Development and Contract Compliance, Pension Review, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Regulation, Development, Neighborhood Protection and Transportation, Infrastructure & Aviation committees.

Johnson during the annual toy give away

Johnson has a continuing goal to empower our young people through education and community service so that they may prosper and be exceptional examples. To achieve this goal, Johnson has hosted several youth-oriented community events designed to empower and equip young adults for future success. In addition, Johnson celebrates the Christmas season by giving away over 1600 toys and providing a cultural experience to underprivileged youth during his annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Christmas party. Council Member Johnson also reaches out to District B seniors through programs such as the District B Senior Citizen Christmas Party, Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway, and Senior Citizen City Hall and Downtown Tours.

Texas 18th Congressional District Race

On Tuesday, January 5, 2010 Johnson stood outside the historic George "Mickey" Leland building to announce that he is officially running for Houston's 18th Congressional District seat, a seat held by incumbent Sheila Jackson Lee.^[1]

Jackson Lee was in her third term on the Houston City Council in 1994 when she beat incumbent U.S. Rep. Craig Washington on the theme that he was out of touch with his district. Johnson, 38, just won his third term to his council seat that's within the 18th Congressional District. The congressional district takes in much of urban Houston, is about 40 percent black with the remainder split between whites and Hispanics. It accounts for about a quarter of the city's more than 2 million residents.^[2]

In an unscientific TxPotomac poll of unknown persons: The Sheila Jackson Lee/Jarvis Johnson race, Poll numbers show that 17% favored Jackson Lee, while 45% favored Johnson, 38% I'm a Republican, so I'm not voting in the primary, but I dislike Sheila Jackson Lee and 1% I'm a Republican and I like Sheila Jackson Lee.^[3]

Arrest

On June 30, 2010, Jarvis was arrested and charged with evading arrest, which is a felony, following a pursuit in which Houston Police were trying to pull him over for speeding on a feeder road. The chase lasted only a short time and ended at a private residence's driveway. He was found to have a female staffer in the vehicle with him. He was then arrested and later released on bond.^[4]

Electoral history

2005

2007

2009

External links

• Jarvis Johnson's website at the City of Houston
• Jarvis Johnson's Blog

References