On November 16, 2015, one 20-year-old made history in his town’s city council. Jewell Jones, full-time political science and finance dual major student at at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, is now the youngest person to ever have a seat on the City Council of Inkster, Michigan.

In an interview with NBCBLK, Jones says he was inspired to run for election while attending a Black Caucus Conference in 2014.

“I was speaking with a Councilman about the upcoming election and he told me that he would not seek re-election. I joked around and told him that I’m going to run. I later took it more serious and started reaching out to people in my network and pastor. After we prayed about it, I threw my hat in the race. And we came out all right.”

Another empowering factor adding to Jones’ time as a councilman is the entire Inkster City Council is made up of all black councilmen and women.

His focal areas as the councilman of District IV are improving the city’s parks and recreational services, increasing public safety and foster economic opportunities, changing the demographics and culture of the city’s police department, and encouraging the youth to get involved with community across various platforms.

Jones also told NBCBLK that balancing being a student and a councilman all boils down to time management, a skill many college students pride themselves on.

“On a day-to-day basis, I decide on what is most important to work on at a particular time. Coming off the campaign, I’m now trying to catch up on school. The semester is almost over, and I’m ensuring I get good grades in my classes, because during the campaign I lost some focus.”

Jones will be in office until 2019 and says holding this position is laying the foundation for what is to come in the future.

“I’m 20 years old and have already achieved my first checkpoint to get there. I’m definitely looking to building the base and to pick up more young people on the way. I’ll be that welcoming hand, letting them know that we can do it together for our community.”