Candidate: Charles Garrison

Charles Garrison is a veteran and lifelong First Coast resident. Born in Middleburg, he was raised by working class parents; his dad a salesman and his mom a flower shop owner.

Over the last ten years, Charles has advocated for communities across Jacksonville. He began his work as a Big Brother through Duval’s Big Brother/Big Sister program. In 2015, he joined the board of directors of JASMYN, Jacksonville’s LGBTQ youth services organization, where he soon became Chair of their property board of directors. Working in the private sector, Charles oversaw and helped families find affordable housing, access to mortgages, and helped eliminate barriers to homeownership, including working with his employer to change their policy as it related to applicants with prior felony convictions. 

Charles is currently the chair of the Water Committee on Jacksonville’s Environmental Protection Board, which he join after serving as the previous Secretary on Jacksonville’s Housing & Community Development Commission. He also serves on the board of directors for Changing Homelessness, a local non-profit whose vision is to end homelessness. 

When Charles was in High School, he contemplated suicide. As an LGBTQ teen, he was trying to navigate who he was and what society wanted him to be. His experience during this time led him to become an advocate for mental health, the LGBTQ community, and affordable housing, since so many LGTBQ youth face homelessness.

Charles is running for Jacksonville City Council because he knows he can be the leader the City needs to build us forward. When Charles is not advocating for his communities, he can be found playing kickball and spending time with his family and friends, working on his home, and enjoying all Jacksonville has to offer. He currently resides in Springfield with his partner, Matt, and two rescue pups, Scrappy and Bailey.