Today we’d like to introduce you to Ella Jones.
Hi Ella, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Ella Jones is the widow of a Vietnam Era Veteran and mother, She earned her BA in Chemistry at the University of Missouri St. Louis and worked at the Washington University School of Medicine and KV Pharmaceutical before becoming a sales director with Mary Kay and a pastor with the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Following the death of Michael Brown, Ella was urged by neighbors and friends to run for and was elected to the Ferguson City Council from the 1st Ward in 2015. While serving on the Council, she became a Certified Municipal Official by the Missouri Municipal League and was selected to serve as the Environmental Protection Agency Local Government Advisor.
In 2020, Ella Jones made history becoming the first woman and first African American to be elected Mayor of Ferguson. Her election gained national attention. Over two terms, she proved to be a highly energetic and effective Mayor, listening to the residents and forging working relationships with the region’s mayors and elected officials.
Ella founded Community Forward Inc., a nonprofit committed to helping improve the quality of life for residents. She also founded Ferguson’s Annual Unity Weekend. As the current Mayor, having won re-election to a second term, Ella earned a seat on East-West Gateway.
For her success guiding Ferguson, Ella was honored by the Urban League with a Woman of Achievement Award. She also was honored with the Friend of Higher Education Award from the UMSL Alumni Association.
A member of the National Women’s Political Caucus, Ella Jones ran and was elected as the Democratic Committeewoman of Ferguson Township. Now Ella Jones is running for St. Louis County Council in the First District to deliver the resources and services the people deserve from county government.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? NO! It’s like learning how to ride a bike on a rough street with lots of potholes. You start off falling down and get back up with the determination that I can do this no matter what, because I made the choice to serve my community. Like riding a bike, I continued to learn how to steer the bike and apply brakes at the right time and kept hanging on for a little while longer. After taking the time and effort and refusing to give up, I got to believe that I made the right choice and off I went again getting on that bike one more time and giving it a whirl. I fell fewer times and I got to hang on for the ride, steering became easier, but not without the bumps in the road. I hung on no matter what the weather and detractors joked that I would never make it through the first year. Now, I have become more pleased with myself for not giving up, because people think I have fallen down too many times and it is not worth getting back up. I am riding like a pro, not forgetting what I’ve been through to ride in any kind of weather and missing the pothole to smile and wave at the ones who hurled negative comments and thought I wouldn’t make it. It was the struggles that kept me going and myself that said you can do this. As I come to the close of this mayoral season of two term, I can look back and see that I always had someone riding beside me to keep me encouraged and that’s how I’ve made it this far.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Following the death of Michael Brown, our community was in great turmoil. First on the Council and then as Mayor, I had two major goals. One was to see that the consent decree the city arrived at with the Department of Justice was adhered to. We had to make sure the rights of all citizens were respected. We had to rebuild trust in the community that reform was occurring and restore trust between all parts of the city and the police. The second major goal was to bring the community together. Unity Weekend became a major project and I had to became an advocate, ambassador, and salesperson for Ferguson with companies and non-profits. We needed their help to support numerous city events and festivals as well as investing in our city. In 2024, Centene Corp. gifted a $25 million dollar 60,000 square foot space to the Urban League, becoming the Centene Connected Community Center. While there is always more that can be done, focusing on the major goals has helped move us forward together. Also, Emerson donated land and $30,000 to build a park in Ward 3 of Ferguson and underserved area.
What matters most to you? Why?
First and foremost, will always be my Faith in God. Then family, friends, and neighbors. To be a true servant leader, you have to have a desire to want to help improve the lives of others. Also to be a good listener. Everywhere I go, every event I attend, I take the time to listen to those who approach me with concerns or a question. That’s how you stay in-touch with the community and thus are better able to align your efforts with their desires.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://voteellamjones.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfEllaMJones
