Jazmin Slaughter, CEO and founder of AHOJ Management, has added public service to her work in Central Pennsylvania after being unanimously appointed to the Steelton Borough Council.
Slaughter was selected by council members Sept. 8 to fill the seat vacated by Natashia Ross, who was appointed mayor in August. Slaughter was sworn in during the same council session.
The appointment followed Slaughter’s participation in Steelton’s recent process to fill vacancies in borough government. She first applied and interviewed for the mayoral vacancy before later seeking the open council seat.
For Slaughter, the move into local government reflects a belief that community involvement should extend beyond professional work.
“I believe that we all have a civic responsibility to each other, to serve as advocates for the communities we live in, in whatever role and capacity we can,” Slaughter told Steelton Borough Council members during her Sept. 8 interview. “No matter where I live, I hope to be a part of engaging with my neighbors and doing my part.”
Slaughter did not wait long to begin that work.
Two days after being sworn in, she participated in a Sept. 10 public safety walk along Bailey Street and the surrounding Steelton neighborhood.
She joined Mayor Natashia Ross, council members Denae House and Michael Segina, and Steelton Police Chief Shawki Lacey for the walk. Borough officials spoke with residents as they moved through the neighborhood, giving Ross and Slaughter an opportunity to meet and reconnect with members of the community in their new roles.
Slaughter said being visible and accessible to residents is an important part of serving in local government.
“The public safety walk in Steelton is very important because it’s important for the people to see you, to know you are boots on the ground and accessible. It takes all of us coming together to make a difference for each other,” Slaughter said. “I’m excited to show up for the people of Steelton and hope that my presence will make them feel at home.”
Ross became mayor after the resignation of Ciera Dent created a vacancy in August. Borough Council unanimously appointed Ross on Aug. 19 to fill the remainder of the term. Ross then resigned from her council seat, creating the vacancy eventually filled by Slaughter.
Slaughter’s appointment places her among Steelton’s seven council members as the borough continues work on public safety, community services, development, and other local issues.
Her move from business and community advocacy into municipal government also expands the scope of her public service, bringing her work with AHOJ Management together with a new role representing Steelton residents.
For Slaughter, the focus remains on showing up, listening, and taking part in the community she now helps govern.
