T.J. Patterson and his daughter Shelia Patterson-Harris have served as councilmen for the City of Lubbock. T.J. was the first African American elected to the Lubbock City Council and continued his career there for nearly 20 years.
“I started signing the forms to run for city council. I didn’t know what to expect I didn’t know what to look for,” said T.J.
Shelia is the current city councilman for District 2. She says that she felt like it was her duty to take on this position. Not only does she hope to work with her district but with the community of Lubbock as well.
“It continued to come to be that someone had to take over and represent the citizens of District 2. But because their voices aren’t as loud, it requires someone with a bigger voice to say those things. We can’t live in this world by ourselves, no man is an island,” said Shelia.
Shelia credits her respect for others and love for improving communities to her father and late mother Bobbi Jean Bailey Patterson.
“He still had a certain level of respect that he wanted to make sure he instilled in us. But he didn’t do it alone, he had a pretty powerful sidekick,” said Shelia.
T.J. Patterson and Shelia Patterson-Harris were featured in the Hidden History Special.
