Jefferson County elects first Black woman as Bessemer division assistant tax collector

Mykeshia Myles Jones has officially secured her place in history, winning the election for assistant tax collector for the Bessemer division of Jefferson County. With this victory, she becomes the first Black woman to ever hold the position.

A Decisive Victory

In her second campaign for the seat since 2024, Myles Jones captured 52.76% of the vote during the primary runoff, successfully overcoming incumbent Ron Marshall, who finished with 47.24%.

Reflecting on her milestone win, Myles Jones told 205focus.com, "It means a lot. Being the first woman to grace the seat is powerful. It means a great deal to me because I’m ready to work and I’m glad the people can see my heart and my ambition. They know the people will always come first when it comes to me…I’m always here. I’m always accessible. I’m transparent. And that will never change."

Stepping Into the Role

As the new assistant tax collector, Myles Jones will take on a vital role in the community. Her responsibilities include managing the office's daily operations, overseeing property tax assessments and collections, maintaining local revenue records, and providing hands-on assistance to residents navigating tax-related concerns.

Myles Jones, a product of north Bessemer, graduated from Jess Lanier High School. Her educational background includes a degree in paralegal studies from Virginia College and business management training from Bessemer State Technical College.

She brings an extensive resume to the office, including over 15 years of experience as a paralegal, two years as a Jefferson County deputy constable, and one year serving as the Brighton city clerk. Beyond public service, she is an entrepreneur, owning Gold Heart Management and co-owning the design firm Dreams are Golden. She also founded the nonprofit Nurturing Golden Hearts, which provides food and essential supplies to those in need.

A Legacy of Service

Myles Jones attributes her dedication to her community to a family legacy. "My mother used to give away food. My grandmother used to feed the community," she said. "Coming up, that’s what we did." This commitment has continued through her organization of holiday giveaways, back-to-school drives, and various community events.

Her campaign centered on increasing efficiency and transparency while educating residents on tax procedures. "It was focused on the people because while being out in the community we found that nobody was there to assist them," Myles Jones explained. "The first thing I want to do is go out and educate our people."

Looking ahead, she intends to modernize the office to be more user-friendly. "My hope is to make it more transparent and more user friendly for the community," she added. "They won’t feel uneasy coming into the office. I want them to feel confident and know that we are there for the community."

Though she fell short in her initial 2024 run against incumbent Ron Marshall, Myles Jones remained steadfast in her goal of bringing change to the office. "I ran two years ago and I never stopped," she said. "I never stopped doing work for the people and being engaged. And I will never stop."