Weekly Report 2-1

By d-mars.com

Edward Pollard’s first foray into public service was nearly 30 years ago at the tender age of six years old as a volunteer for then-mayoral candidate Sylvester Turner. The young Pollard passed out campaign buttons to passersby at the George R. Brown Convention Center during Turner’s first run for mayor back in 1991. Some might say it was a foreshadow of events to come now that Pollard is a successful attorney and one of 16 council members leading the fourth largest city in America. But if you ask him, he would say his path has been heavily influenced by the older men in his family – from his father, who served honorably in the Marines during Vietnam, to his brothers, who are also lawyers, to his grandfather, who played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement as Martin Luther King’s mentor and architect of the first bus boycott.

“The men in my family were never ones to just sit by and watch things happen,” Pollard said. “From an early age, I saw them get involved, help other people and try to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I guess you could say that service is in my blood.”

As a native Houstonian from the city’s southwest side, Pollard, 36, has always had an interest in history and government. During his primary and secondary education, he enjoyed learning about the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and other foundational teachings that explained the inner workings of society. As an undergraduate student matriculating at Morehouse College, Pollard studied political science, but at the time, he had his sights set on becoming a professional athlete more than anything else. After a couple years playing professional basketball overseas, he returned stateside and earned a law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, graduating with honors in 2012.

“During my second year of law school I did an internship at the state capitol for the 82nd Legislative Session, where I was an aide for State Representative Dawnna Dukes,” Pollard said. “It was during this internship where I caught the political bug. Every day I was around lawmakers, people who decided what happened and what didn’t. I wanted to be one of those people. I did not want decisions being made about my community without having a voice in the discussion and a seat at the table. So, I decided that once I graduated law school I was going to run for office.”

With a new law degree in hand, Pollard began working at his brother’s law firm to gain experience. That position allowed him to learn more about running a business, handling litigation, and understanding government affairs. Simultaneously, Pollard joined several political organizations and developed relationships with neighborhood and community leaders.

Council Member Edward Pollard Serves District J

BUILDING A LEGACY OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND PURPOSE

In true millennial fashion, while still working for his brother’s firm, he saw an opportunity to use social media to grow his clientele in ways his peers had not. Over time, his clientele grew impressively enough, that in 2018, he opened the Pollard Legal Group solely focusing on serving personal injury clients, a niche that turned out to be very lucrative for his law firm. He seized the opportunity and quickly built a multi -million-dollar firm in a few short years.

“I grew my law practice organically using social media and online advertisements about eight years ago. Back then, most law firms would only advertise on radio, TV, billboards, and in the newspaper. I noticed that many law firms were not advertising on social media or websites targeting a college-aged or young professional crowd, so I started putting ads online, and my clientele began to grow. It paid off,” Pollard said.

business or his bipartisan approach to city leadership, he sees value in taking an innovative or modern view when necessary, and that was never more evident than during his first year in office. Just a few months after the December 2019 runoff election, the coronavirus pandemic hit Houston, quickly shifting his focus from addressing traditional issues facing city leadership to measures aimed at saving lives.

“My first year as a city council member was a whirlwind,” Pollard said. “Soon after being elected we were hit with the pandemic. Most of my efforts this year have gone toward helping people sustain their jobs and homes, as well as trying to keep communities safe. I am proud of the work my District J office has done this first year. We put a lot of effort towards direct assistance and services to people in need.”

In addition to handling the pandemic as well as tackling the 2020 census, Pollard took the lead on council as the most vocal advocate on issues related to Minority Women Small Business Enterprises (MWSBEs). Pollard also stepped up to address the aftermath of the George Floyd murder. Amidst protests and calls for police reform, the council member developed his own plan for modern policing, which calls for better transparency and relationship between the police department and the community. The District J Patrol initiative launched in the fall of 2020 and includes a special task team made up of local residents; two Polaris multipurpose patrol vehicles for specialized HPD officers in District J; and a first of its kind web portal where residents can report minor, “quality of life” infractions before they become major crimes.

While having a thriving law practice, Pollard also cofounded a 501c3 nonprofit, Suits for Success. The organization targets high school boys in need of guidance and mentorship. In the program, each student participates in a semester-long life skills course where they learn topics such as personal finance, etiquette training, resume building, interview techniques, how to handle peer pressure, and his most favorite class session, how to tie a tie. At the completion of the semester, each student receives a free suit, shirt, and tie.

“It is important because I understand that I did not make it solely off my own efforts. I had many people in my life who advised and guided me, helped open doors, and exposed me to opportunities. So now I believe it is my responsibility to give back, so that what was instilled in me can be passed on to the next generation. It gives them an opportunity to succeed, and it will be their responsibility to give back to those who come after them.”

Taking the road less traveled is a consistent theme of how Pollard operates. Whether it’s the way he runs his

In just one year, the city council member has earned a reputation for getting things done at City Hall. As a public servant, he’s often seen at various events in his district every week, whether they involve distributing free food to those in need or creating collaborations to get computer labs for students in underserved areas.

“Like everything else I do, I try to be relentless. I’m a workaholic, I enjoy getting up early and working late. I’m never satisfied, never complacent, and never stagnant. I could easily focus solely on making money and not stressing about the circumstances of others, but I believe I have been called to be a public servant.”

As the second year of his term begins, Pollard is focusing on containing the COVID-19 virus in Houston, sustaining the local economy by focusing on employment and housing, and improving public safety among a host of other issues important to his constituents. At the end of the day, he wants his time in office to be impactful.

To learn more about Council Member Edward Pollard and his work in District J, please visit www. houstontx.gov. And to contact his office, please call (832) 393-3015 or email districtj@houstontx.gov.

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