Beverly Owens-Jackson

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Beverly Owens-Jackson

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

September 9, 2025

Education

High school

South High School

Associate

Cuyahoga Community College, 2002

Bachelor's

Tiffin University, 2007

Graduate

Indiana Wesleyan University, 2010

Personal

Birthplace

Cleveland, Ohio

Religion

Spiritual

Profession

Education specialist

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Beverly Owens-Jackson ran for election to the Cleveland City Council to represent Ward 5 in Ohio. She lost in the primary on September 9, 2025.

Owens-Jackson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Beverly Owens-Jackson was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from South High School. She earned an associate degree from Cuyahoga Community College in 2002, a bachelor's degree from Tiffin University in 2007, and a graduate degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2010. Her career experience includes working as an education specialist, cosmetologist, small business owner, founder of CHOICES Mentoring program. She has been affiliated with Burton Bell Carr, National Action Network, and Black American Council.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Cleveland, Ohio (2025)

General election

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

General election for Cleveland City Council Ward 5

Incumbent Rebecca Maurer, incumbent Richard Starr, and Myras Holmes are running in the general election for Cleveland City Council Ward 5 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Rebecca Maurer (Nonpartisan)
		Richard Starr (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Myras Holmes (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Cleveland City Council Ward 5

Incumbent Richard Starr and incumbent Rebecca Maurer defeated Beverly Owens-Jackson in the primary for Cleveland City Council Ward 5 on September 9, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Richard Starr (Nonpartisan)	69.4	627
✔		Rebecca Maurer (Nonpartisan)	25.4	229
		Beverly Owens-Jackson (Nonpartisan)	5.2	47

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 903
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Johnnie Brown (Nonpartisan)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Beverly Owens-Jackson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Owens-Jackson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Beverly Owens-Jackson is a passionate advocate for at-risk women, a dedicated community leader, and a survivor whose personal journey has been a testament to resilience, transformation, and empowerment. A recovering addict with over 28 years of sobriety, Beverly has overcome the challenges of addiction, domestic abuse, and homelessness, using her experiences to inspire and uplift others.

With a wealth of education and professional credentials, Beverly holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Photography, a Bachelor’s in Organizational Management, a Master’s in Human Resource Management, and a certificate in Criminal Justice. She is currently pursuing certification in Human Services, Chemical Dependency, and Counseling. As a first-generation college graduate, she was also honored as the first Success Student Story at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C).

Beverly’s commitment to her community is further reflected in her involvement with the Burton Bell Carr Development Corporation and her recognition as a Distinguished Alumni of Tri-C. She has received numerous awards, including the Humanitarian Award from the National Action Network and the Central Promise Award, which honors individuals who make a positive impact in their communities. Beverly recently won the Community Champion Award from Cuyahoga Community College for her steadfast dedication to the work that is done daily. Beverly's dedication, leadership in Labor have taught her the value of service.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Positive Leadership that will work with the residence of Ward 5
• Address the issue of food insecurities and available resources
• Affordable and sustainable housing, community maintenance and safety

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Policies that address societal and economic disparities. Addressing laws that will benefit a mixed community. Service labor and economic opportunity are something I feel all individuals should be allowed to thrive. I have always been a strong, positive voice for the voiceless. I want to continue on a larger platform to make a difference and be impactful for underserved communities. We must work together to address the needs of everyday citizens and fight even harder in light of the country's uncertainties and hatred that has overshadowed all the good that has been done thus far.
We need people who will continue to advocate and fight for the rights of all people.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Because this office is local and politics are local, we need to start listening to the people most affected by governmental decisions.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

MY dad has always taught me to honor my word and let it be my bond. I look up to him and a dear friend who was my 1st Office Director in Higher education.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Read my Bio, it speaks for itself. I have been a victim of abuse, drugs, and homelessness. I have used my trauma and my life experiences to motivate others that if you want to change, it starts within.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Being positive, outspoken, but humbled. Being willing to work with a community and not over them. Actively listening, hearing, and doing everything that can be done to serve them.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm service-driven.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Create a policy that will benefit the people whom we choose to serve. The residents and the people must be the driving force to change the current narrative. We must work as a Council to serve the majority collectively.

What legacy would you like to leave?

My life experience has taught me to stay humble and lead with integrity.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was 19 years old, and my mom passed away as a result of alcoholism.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My trade is Cosmetology, and it will forever be a source of income and service.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Becoming Michelle Obama

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Wonder Women

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

More than Friends. Freddie Jackson

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My finances have been a struggle due to my having to start over and my need to always be the strength of my family. I tend to want to always help those in need, even if it stresses me out a bit

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

People should be aware that this office is supposed to work for and with them. Residence should have more public comments that should be adhered to.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily, but you should understand policy and how to write meaningful legislation. I person should understand the power wheel and also understand the people making the decisions. Be present at the table. Learn, listen, and deliver.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Reading, writing, and listening are always teachable moments. Do not be afraid to speak up. Be more collaborative and compromise when needed.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

I feel that it is Local and within reach of the communities it serves.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Who-That Owl

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

SEIU1199

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Honesty and Transparency is key. Too often finances are mishandled and harm the ones it supposed to help. Being the riches country, we still have to much greed and dishonesty that is destroying a movement towards equity.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

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Candidate

Cleveland City Council Ward 5

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