Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Maxie Johnson
Dallas City Council, District 4
Maxie Johnson has dedicated more than two decades to public service, education, ministry, community advocacy, and improving the quality of life for families throughout Southern Dallas. Johnson began his elected public service in May 2019, when he was elected to the Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees to represent District 5. The district is one of Dallas ISD’s largest and most diverse, spanning communities from Wilmer and South Oak Cliff to West Dallas and Uptown, with a significant portion overlapping Dallas City Council District 4.
A longtime resident, pastor, parent, and community advocate, Johnson brought decades of grassroots experience to the Dallas ISD Board. Before holding elected office, he served his community in numerous leadership roles, including as a member of the District 4 Super Block, PTA president, and Vice Chair of the Site-Based Decision Making Committee at South Oak Cliff High School. Johnson is a proud graduate of Dallas ISD’s A. Maceo Smith High School and has remained deeply committed to public education. As a community organizer, he stood alongside the South Oak Cliff Alumni Association, neighborhood stakeholders, parents, and student leaders including his son David to successfully advocate for $52 million in improvements and renovations to South Oak Cliff High School.
Throughout his service as a Dallas ISD Trustee, Johnson maintained a strong focus on educational achievement, equity, accountability, economic opportunity, community involvement, and increased investment in historically underserved neighborhoods. His leadership and advocacy helped advance more than $400 million in documented investments and improvements benefiting schools and communities. Johnson’s service extends well beyond elected office. He serves as Senior Pastor of New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in West Dallas, where his ministry is rooted in service, compassion, and community empowerment.
On September 21, 2024, Johnson married his soulmate, Celethia De'Vonne Johnson, on a day that is especially meaningful because it is also her birthday. Celethia is a United States Navy Veteran who served our nation for 12 years and continues serving Veterans and their families during times of bereavement. Together, Maxie and Celethia share a commitment to serving their city, community, and country with excellence and compassion.
Johnson is the proud father of two sons and two daughters. Three of his children graduated from South Oak Cliff High School, and his youngest daughter is scheduled to graduate from South Oak Cliff in May 2027.
From School Board to Dallas City Hall
In May 2025, Maxie Johnson was elected to the Dallas City Council to represent District 4, receiving 74 percent of the vote. Since taking office, Johnson has focused his work on economic development, neighborhood revitalization, public safety, infrastructure, community engagement, and improving the delivery of basic city services. His District 4 agenda has included efforts to address illegal drug activity and nuisance properties, improve streets and neighborhoods, attract economic investment and jobs, and advance a Fresh Market project intended to increase access to fresh food in an underserved area of the district. During his first term, Johnson was selected to serve as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Dallas. His leadership assignments have also included serving as Chair of the Committee on Government Efficiency and Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Sports Recruitment and Retention.
Johnson believes that strong neighborhoods require more than promises—they require investment, accountability, opportunity, and leadership that remains connected to residents. His commitment to public safety is also deeply personal. In 2019, Johnson lost his oldest son to senseless gun violence. Rather than allowing tragedy to end his service, he has continued advocating for safer neighborhoods, stronger families, educational opportunities, economic development, and resources that address the root causes of poverty and violence.
Johnson often expresses his philosophy this way:
“Educational inequity leads to poverty, and poverty leads to violence. If we want to address poverty and violence, we must create jobs through economic development, advocate for equitable resources, and educate our community.”
Community, Ministry and Music
In addition to his public service and ministry, Johnson is an accomplished musician and alto saxophonist. He has performed on numerous Gospel recordings and is well known throughout Dallas for his musicianship.
Whether serving from the pulpit, the school board, City Hall, or directly in neighborhoods, Johnson has built his public service around one central principle: communities are strongest when residents are included in the work of improving them. His more than 20 years of grassroots service as a pastor, community liaison, organizer, education advocate, and elected official reflect his continuing commitment to empowering families and bringing resources and opportunities to Southern Dallas.
His philosophy of service is captured in the words that continue to guide his work:
“Building the Community with the Community.”
