By Sylvia Powers
Correspondent
Texas Metro News
As we gather this Juneteenth to reflect on freedom, progress, and the ongoing pursuit of equity, we take time to honor two remarkable trailblazers whose courage and commitment transformed the political landscape of Garland, Texas—Ronald E. Jones and Annie Dickson.
“I wasn’t born here—I moved from Louisiana. When people talk about Juneteenth, I think we need to evaluate how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go. As we celebrate, our children must also remember the sacrifices that were made for us to get to this point,” said Ms. Dickson.
Breaking Barriers, Building Legacy
In a city where change came slowly, Ms. Dickson made history as the first African American woman elected to the Garland City Council.
Her voice echoed through City Hall as she stood up for the underserved, the overlooked, and the unheard. Representing District 2, she championed issues that directly impacted working families, helping to set the tone for a more inclusive city government.
“I didn’t initially choose politics,” Ms. Dickson shared. “But I noticed that the person representing East Garland—our predominantly African American community—wasn’t truly advocating for us.”
After being laid off from her job of 32 years, she began attending council meetings. That’s when she realized something needed to change—and she decided to be the one to initiate change.
Rather than joining in with the complaints of others, she took action. Her historic election to the council made her a pioneer and voice for communities long left out of the conversation.
In 2000, she broke another barrier by becoming the first African American to run for mayor of Garland. Though she lost by just 47 votes, her courageous campaign planted the seeds of change for future generations.
One of those seeds would blossom just seven years later.
A Victory for the People
In 2007, Ronald E. Jones chose to announce his mayoral candidacy from Ms. Dickson’s home—an act of both respect and symbolism.
“I was overjoyed when he made the announcement from my house,” she recalled. “I had known Mr. Jones for years. When I decided to run for city council, he was already the assistant city manager.”
That same year, Mr. Jones made history when he was elected the first African American mayor of Garland. A longtime city employee with nearly 30 years of service, he brought deep knowledge of municipal operations and an unwavering dedication to public service.
He ran a grassroots campaign powered by support across racial, political, and religious lines. His leadership was defined by accessibility, integrity, and vision. More than a personal achievement, his victory marked a defining moment in Garland’s evolving identity—proof that the city was ready to embrace leadership rooted in both experience and inclusivity.
United by Purpose
Though they served in different roles and during different eras, Ronald E. Jones and Annie Dickson are united by a shared mission: to uplift their community and create a more just and equitable future.
Their journeys reflect the true spirit of Juneteenth—not only remembering the past, but actively shaping a future grounded in freedom, opportunity, and justice.
“As African Americans, we celebrate Juneteenth because it reminds us of where we’ve been and where we’re headed,” said Jones, who also served as senior pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in South Dallas. “Our reflections aren’t rooted in pity—they’re rooted in strength. That’s the inspiration behind my upcoming book, Reflections Forward, set to be released next month.
“It’s meant to help others draw wisdom from the past so they can move forward with purpose.”
Sylvia Powers is a writer and photographer. An award-winning author, she is a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness and research.
