Geraldine “Ms. Gerrie” Ford-Hardin isn’t new to public service — she’s dedicated her life to it. From working inside City Hall to tireless community work like Pack the Sack and the Thanksgiving Senior Luncheon, Ms. Gerrie leads by showing up and getting things done.
Meet Geraldine Ford-Hardin
Geraldine “Ms. Gerrie” Ford-Hardin has spent her life serving the people of Jacksonville — not from the sidelines, but shoulder-to-shoulder with her neighbors. A longtime resident and a fixture in District 10, Ms. Gerrie is a trusted community advocate with deep expertise in local government and real, hands-on experience improving lives.
For more than a decade she has served as Founder and Executive Director of Alpha Starz Inc., an organization focused on empowering families and sustaining community well-being. Under her leadership, Alpha Starz’s annual “Pack the Sack” Back-to-School Event has provided essential school supplies and backpacks to thousands of Duval County students, and its Thanksgiving Senior Luncheon has become a cherished tradition honoring our older residents and their contributions to the community.
In addition to her nonprofit work, Ms. Gerrie has served within Jacksonville’s City Council as an Executive Council Assistant, where she honed her knowledge of how local government operates and how policy impacts people in real neighborhoods. In that role she coordinated community outreach, managed communications, and helped connect residents to the services they need.
Her work has always been rooted in listening — not speaking to people, but with them — and bringing their voices into City Hall. Whether it’s advocating for affordable housing, tackling food insecurity, improving infrastructure, or supporting seniors and working families, Ms. Gerrie’s approach is driven by compassion, competence, and the lived experience of being “from 10 and for 10.”
About Ms. Gerrie
Ms Gerrie speaking to seniors at the 2025 7th Annual Joan Turner Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon. (And spending a few moments with Santa and Mrs Claus!)
Ms Gerrie presenting flowers and breakfast for Mother's Day at Lincoln Villa Senior Center.
“Pack the Sack” community partners.
The Platform
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Everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. But for too many families in District 10, rising rents, neglected properties, and disinvestment are making it harder to stay in the communities they love. Ms. Gerrie believes that housing affordability and neighborhood quality go hand in hand — and that City Hall has a responsibility to protect both.
She will fight for policies that expand affordable housing options, preserve existing homes, and hold absentee landlords and negligent property owners accountable. She will also push for stronger code enforcement and neighborhood revitalization efforts that reduce blight, improve property values, and restore pride in our communities.
Ms. Gerrie’s focus is simple: keep District 10 livable for the people who already live here — not just affordable “on paper,” but safe, stable, and well-maintained.
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No child should struggle in school because they’re hungry. No senior should have to choose between groceries and medication. And no working family should fall through the cracks simply because they don’t qualify for assistance programs. Ms. Gerrie has spent years confronting these realities head-on through her community work — not just talking about hunger, but doing something about it.
As City Council Member, she will champion partnerships with nonprofits, faith groups, and community organizations to expand access to nutritious food and family support services. She will advocate for smarter use of city resources to reduce food deserts, strengthen senior nutrition programs, and ensure families can access the help they need with dignity.
Food security isn’t just about meals — it’s about stability, opportunity, and respect.
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Strong neighborhoods need strong infrastructure. Too many areas of District 10 are still waiting on long-promised improvements to roads, drainage, sidewalks, lighting, and basic utilities. At the same time, too many residents struggle to get to work, school, or medical appointments because transportation options are limited or unreliable.
Ms. Gerrie will fight to bring long-overdue infrastructure investments to District 10 — including road repairs, water and sewer expansion, and safer streets for pedestrians and drivers alike. She will also advocate for better transportation options that connect residents to jobs, education, and opportunity. Infrastructure isn’t just about concrete and pipes — it’s about whether a community can function, grow, and succeed.
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Every family deserves to feel safe in their home, on their street, and in their neighborhood. Public safety is more than just response times — it’s about prevention, trust, and making sure communities have the resources they need to thrive. Ms. Gerrie believes that the best public safety strategy is one that brings people together rather than pushes them apart.
She will support smart, community-centered public safety strategies that combine law enforcement, violence prevention, youth engagement, and neighborhood investment. She will also fight for safer streets, better lighting, and stronger community spaces — especially for seniors and children. When communities feel supported, connected, and respected, everyone is safer.
This campaign is powered by neighbors who believe District 10 deserves better. Whether you can volunteer your time, help spread the word, host a meet-and-greet, or chip in a few dollars, there’s a place for you on this team. Help Ms. Gerrie win.
