Jackson, MI City Council Members
A listing and information about each city council member for using as you help educate them about our resolution.
Daniel Mahoney – Mayor
Email: dmahoney@cityofjackson.org
Daniel Mahoney was elected Mayor of Jackson by voters in 2021 and 2023. He brings nearly a decade of public service to the position by representing the eastern half of the city on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. Mahoney was the County Commissioner for District 7 from 2014 to 2021. When he was sworn-in as Mayor in Dec. 2021, he became the City’s first African-American Mayor.
Mayor Mahoney was born and raised in Jackson and graduated from Jackson High School in 2000. He currently works as the African-American Affinity Liaison for Jackson College and runs the non-profit Many Hands Community Services. The Mayor is active in several community organizations, having served on the City’s Racial Equity Commission and the MLK Corridor Improvement Authority.
In his time as Mayor, Mahoney is focusing on continuing Downtown Jackson’s forward momentum and extending that progress into neighborhoods. He’ll also prioritize economic development, public safety, street improvements and continuing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
He lives on the City’s southeast side with his wife, Semaj, and their five daughters. His current term ends in Dec. 2026.
Arlene Robinson – Ward 1
email: arobinson@cityofjackson.org
Ward 1 consists of the south side of Jackson.
Arlene Robinson is a life-long resident of the City of Jackson. She is a 1975 graduate of Jackson High School and attended Jackson Community College.
She was elected as the First Ward City Councilmember in 2013, winning re-election in 2017 and 2021. Prior to being elected to the Council, she was appointed to the Jackson Housing Commission Board of Commissioners and served from 2011 to 2013, and served on the City of Jackson Income Tax Review Board for more than 10 years.
For more than 40 years, Arlene worked in the banking industry, where she managed two Comerica Bank branches in the First Ward and was Branch Coordinator/Loan Officer for South Central Credit Union.
Arlene has served as Branch President of the Jackson County NAACP since 2006. Prior to her appointment as President of the NAACP, she also served as a Vice President and Treasurer. She also served as the Treasurer of the Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club for more than 28 years. She is a lifetime member of the Second Missionary Baptist Church and presently serves on the Board of Trustees.
Arlene received the Business Woman of the Year Award in 1992; the Sadie and Ex Rhodes Barham Award in 1999; and the Susan B. Anthony Award in 2004. She is the proud mother of three sons, Darrell, Maurice and André, and has 12 grandchildren.
Arlene served as the City’s Vice Mayor from 2017 to 2023. The Vice Mayor runs meetings in the Mayor’s absence, or fills the position of Mayor if it becomes vacant before an election is held.
Her term ends in Nov. 2025.
Freddie Dancy – Ward 2
email: f_dancy@hotmail.com
Ward 2 consists of the south east side of Jackson.
Freddie Dancy is originally from Arkansas and has lived in the Jackson area since 1998, after retiring from the United States Army after 23 years of service. He is currently an independent insurance agent, specializing in disability and life insurance. Freddie is also the co-owner of Dancy’s Fancy Butter, a local business that began in 2013 and offers flavored enhanced butters to local stores and communities.
Freddie serves on the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Board, Jackson County Chamber Executive Committee, Jackson County Chamber Ambassador Committee, Disability Connection Board of Directors, Lily Missionary Baptist Church Board and Smiles on Wheels Board of Directors. Past board appointments include the Jackson Area Landlord Association and the Jackson Exchange Club Board.
Freddie’s gregarious personality and willingness to serve were key factors in his selection as the 2012 Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year He has an associate’s degree from Central Texas College and a bachelor’s degree in business leadership from Baker College of Jackson.
He is married to Anna and is the proud father of three children – Freddie III, Brittany and Taylor. Freddie won election for the Second Ward in 2015, 2019 and 2023. His current term ends in 2028.
Freddie was selected as the City’s Vice Mayor for the 2023-25 session by the City Council. The Vice Mayor runs meetings in the Mayor’s absence, or fills the position of Mayor if it becomes vacant until an election is held.
Angelita V. Gunn – Ward 3
email: Angela_Velasco@yahoo.com
City Councilmember Angelita V. Gunn was born and raised in Jackson. Councilmember Gunn has been an advocate for justice and safety for crime victims since 1984. She is currently the executive director of AWARE, Inc., a multi-service agency that provides crisis services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Prior to working for AWARE, Inc., Councilmember Gunn served as associate director for the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence for 15 years. In her role, she developed and managed a broad array of programs, served as grant writer, and was a member of the public policy team where she assisted in writing position papers and testifying before legislative committees.
She is a Quality Assurance peer reviewer for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Victim Services. Councilmember Gunn is a certified trainer for the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) on the Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence, and the Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault. In 2013, she was one of 18 women from across the nation to participate in the first LEAP (Leadership, Education and Advancement for Professionals) Project, developed by the national Women of Color Network and ValorUS, formerly the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Locally, she has participated in several community-wide collaborative initiatives and is currently a member of the Jackson County Continuum of Care and Human Service Coordinating Alliance. The councilmember has lived in Ward 3 as a homeowner since 2012, and is the primary caregiver for her 86 year-old mother. She is a graduate of Jackson High School. Councilmember Gunn studied at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus between 1981-1984 and, after a long break, completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Michigan State University in 2015.
She was elected to serve the City’s Third Ward in 2021.
Connor Wood – Ward 4
email: cwood@cityofjackson.org
Ward 4 consists of Jackson’s Northwest side.
Conner Wood was elected to serve Jackson’s Fourth Ward on the City Council in Nov. 2023. He was named Chief Parliamentarian by the City Council for the 2023-25 session. The Parliamentarian makes sure City Council rules and procedures are followed during meetings. His five year term ends in 2028.
City Councilmember Wood has a BA in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Michigan. His past service and involvement includes the Planning Commission, Charter Review Committee, Elections Commission, County Reapportionment Commission, U.S. Electoral College, United Way of South Central Michigan, NAACP, Jackson Skilled Trades Task Force and People for the Parks and Trails. He lives on N. Bowen Street with wife Kelsey and daughter Josephine.
Christy May Davis – Ward 5
email: cdavis@cityofjackson.org
Ward 5 is made up of the western half of Downtown Jackson and several residential neighborhoods surrounding downtown.
City Councilmember Christy May Davis was elected to represent Jackson’s Ward 5 on the City Council in the Nov. 2024 election. She is serving a partial term until the seat is up for election again in the Nov. 2025 election.
Davis is a Jackson area native and graduated from Vandercook Lake High School in 1996. She completed a Bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor College in 2000. Davis grew up attending Jackson Free Methodist Church and now attends The Summit Church. She moved to the Fourth Street area in Ward 5 in 2006.
The councilmember and daughter Brooke enjoy visiting Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, playing at the beach and collecting rocks, shells and sand. They also do a lot of crafting together and playing board games. She is also Brooke’s Girl Scout Troop Leader.
Davis worked in Henry Ford Jackson Hospital’s Hematology-Oncology for 15 years as check in and out and has worked in Patient Scheduling since 2021. She also attends markets selling specialty hot sauces for the Grand Traverse Sauce Company. Davis enjoys music and photography in her spare time.
The councilmember is looking forward to working with Ward 5 residents to improve the community. She plans on supporting initiatives that will boost small businesses and provide more activities for families and youth. Davis is dedicated to empowering residents and listening to their concerns.
William Forgrave – Ward 6
Email: forgravefor6@gmail.com
Ward 6 makes up the southwest corner of the City of Jackson.
Will Forgrave was elected as the Sixth Ward City Councilmember in 2019 and 2023.
He moved to Jackson shortly after graduating from college in 2009 and took a job as a government reporter at the Jackson Citizen Patriot newspaper, earning two Associated Press Awards for investigative journalism in 2014. The following year, Will became the City of Jackson’s first-ever Public Information Officer, where he facilitated communication between City Hall, media outlets, and the general public. Currently, he works as the Marketing & Communications Manager at the Jackson District Library, organizing marketing efforts for the district’s 13 libraries across Jackson County.
In 2017, after living in downtown apartments for the whole of his time in Jackson, Will bought a house in Ward 6 with his fiancee Kaiti, whom he married in 2019. When he isn’t renovating the house, tinkering in the garage, or talking with his neighbors in the 6th Ward – you can find Will in his backyard, ordering his dog to stop barking at everything in sight.
Will has a bachelor’s degree in history and journalism from Albion College. Go Brits.
Councilmember Forgrave served as the City Council’s Chief Parliamentarian for the 2021-23 session. His current term ends in 2028.
Hello, [Insert Name]
The people of Jackson want to decriminalize entheogens, and we want your help.
What are Entheogens?
Entheogens can refer to any substance used in a religious, shamanic, or spiritual context, or more broadly to any psychoactive substance used for its spiritual or religious effects.
Which Entheogens are we talking about?
- Psilocybe Mushrooms- Treats PTSD, depression, and addiction
- Ayahuasca- Used in traditional medicine and is effective at treating PTSD and addiction.
- Mescaline- A cactus that can be used to treat alcoholism.
- Iboga- A plant root used for withdrawal symptoms in addiction treatment.
What do we mean by “decriminalizing”?
Allowing for individuals to have small amounts of these sacred substances for personal use without the fear of being prosecuted or going to jail. Many people have found these substances to be extremely helpful in treating addiction, a myriad of mental health conditions, and even in end of life therapy.
How would decriminalizing entheogens benefit Jackson?
Jackson is a vibrant and beautiful community, but one that is in need of healing. Decriminalization would allow the people of Jackson to safely access these alternative medicines. Many communities in Michigan have already embraced decriminalization through City Council Decrees or Ballot initiatives, and we are asking you to help Jackson keep up. Many of our residents cannot afford to travel to areas in Michigan where these substances are legal. These residents should not be deprived of the ability to access these medicines in the safety of their own homes and communities simply because the leadership in Jackson continues to prohibit it.
Want to Learn more? Check out the Decriminalize Nature Jackson website at: DecriminalizeNature.org/jackson-mi
Sincerely,
[Your Name]