Dontavius L. Jarrells

The All of Us Block Party is here.

This event was born from a vision of community. A space where neighbors gather, families connect with resources, and joy is felt in every smile and every word of encouragement.

The Block Party shows what happens when we stand together with one purpose: to build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community. It reflects our belief that every person deserves access to opportunity, support, and celebration.

So come out today, bring your family, bring your friends, and let’s celebrate what makes us powerful: an Ohio for all of us.

“When was the last time you felt your vote truly mattered?”

That was the first question we asked during our State of Black Ohio conversation, and the answers lit up the room.

I had the honor of co-leading a transformative dialogue alongside Shayla Davis, President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, as part of Black America, Part II, hosted by Jewel Woods and featuring the incomparable Roland Martin.

We listened. We challenged. We built power in real time.

From reflections on Black voter power and civic trust, to the urgent need for youth engagement and stronger pipelines to political representation, our community spoke boldly and truthfully.

Whether it was about the power of Black churches, the role of Divine 9, or why some still haven’t stepped foot in the Statehouse, what I heard loud and clear is this: We are not apathetic. We are navigating a system that was never designed for our full participation.

But we’re breaking through anyway.

Thank you to every voice that showed up. To those who told the truth. And to those who are ready to keep going.

That’s how we build an Ohio we all deserve.

Happy Pride 🌈

In every color of the flag, there’s a story. A fight. A legacy.

From Stonewall to the Statehouse, our LGBTQ+ family has shown this nation what courage looks like, what truth looks like when it refuses to be silenced.

As your Assistant Minority Leader, I stand proudly with you. Because Pride is a declaration that love is love, that freedom belongs to all of us, and that the fight for justice includes every voice.

To every q***r kid in Ohio who wonders if they’ll be accepted, protected, or seen, you already are. And I’ll never stop fighting for a world where you don’t just survive…you thrive.

I love you.

I’m fighting for all of us. No person should have to drink lead contaminated water in 2025.

Ohio bill aims to replace lead water service lines over the next 15 years The Lead Line Replacement Act would require every publicly owned water system in Ohio to replace lead pipes over the next 15 years. It's similar to one introduced in the last General Assembly.

I survived.

Lead poisoning tried to steal my voice before I even knew I had one. But last week, I stood before a room full of changemakers as the keynote speaker for the Ohio Environmental Council’s Green Gala.

Thank you, OEC, for the invitation, the honor, and for fighting every day to make sure every child grows up safe, healthy, and heard.

He is Risen.

This morning at City of Grace, I sat under a powerful word from Pastors Michael Young and Richard Jones—a word about transformation in the space of pain.

Mary Magdalene stood weeping outside the tomb, broken by grief. But when Jesus called her name, Mary, everything shifted. She didn’t recognize Him at first… because resurrection changes things.

Thank you, City of Grace, for reminding us: pain is not the end…it’s the beginning to something new.

Fresh look, same mission.

We’ve been putting in the work—10 bills introduced, 15 more to go. Every piece of legislation is a step toward progress, and we’re just getting started. ✊🏾

Love Mama Digga!!!

Love is Revolutionary.

Honored to serve as 2025 Gay S. Steele Keynote Speaker for the MLK Day of Learning.

Today isn’t just another date on the calendar—it’s a call to reflection, introspection, and action.

MLK Day holds up a mirror, asking us: Are we truly honoring Dr. King’s legacy or just reciting his words? Are we moving toward the Promised Land he envisioned, or have we grown comfortable in complacency? Are we living out our dreams, or leaving them unfulfilled on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial?

Dr. King once said, “All we say to America is, ‘Be true to what you said on paper.’” Yet in 2025, so many promises remain unfulfilled.

It’s time to move beyond dreaming and commit ourselves to action—for justice, for equity, for our own liberation.

That’s what I call revolutionary love.

Making my ancestors proud.

Today, I am honored to be sworn in once again as a State Representative and Assistant Minority Leader for the 136th General Assembly.

I carry their strength, their sacrifices, and their dreams with me as we step into this new chapter. With unwavering resolve, I will continue fighting for the people of this great state—championing justice, opportunity, and progress for all of us.

Let’s get to work.

I’ll always work for you.

As I stepped into my sophomore term as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, not just as a member but as a leader of the caucus, I knew there was no greater way to serve than by loving people deeply. That love fueled the legislation I drafted, the way I showed up for my constituents, and how I built meaningful relationships—even with those who didn’t share my political views.

Together, we accomplished so much for the people of House District 1:
• 1,021 Meetings Taken
• 304 Constituents Served
• 135 Bills Co-Sponsored
• 17 Bills & Resolutions Introduced
• 8 Bills passed the House; 6 Signed into Law
• $93,849,128 Brought to House District 1
• $183,100,000 Brought to Franklin County

Being a legislator is about so much more than the numbers. While they reflect relentless advocacy, collaboration, and the drive to deliver results, they don’t capture the heart of the experience. They don’t show the thousands of letters we wrote to constituents, the unexpected conversations in grocery store aisles where someone thanked my staff for resolving an issue, or the genuine smiles on people’s faces when they realized we helped them succeed. It’s those moments—small, personal, and profoundly human—that remind me why I love this work and why I fight so hard for the people of my district.

As we look ahead to the challenges of the 136th General Assembly, my mission remains unchanged: love people enough to fight for them. Because that’s how we build an Ohio we all deserve—an Ohio that works for everyone.

Thank you for trusting me to serve you.