Better Together
Campaign:
DeSoto, TX
Better
together
campaign
Author anderson, MPP, Ed.M.
MAYORAL CANDIDATE 2025
Desoto, tx
Author Anderson is a proud community advocate and experienced leader with a proven track record of delivering
innovative and effective solutions. With expertise spanning public policy, education, business, real estate, and
social justice, Author is committed to building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous DeSoto for every family.
A lifelong learner, Author has earned degrees from Northwestern University, the University of Southern California
(USC), and Harvard University, equipping him with a world-class education and the tools to tackle complex
challenges. Over the course of his career, he has worked tirelessly to improve lives—locally, nationally, and
globally.
A Proven Leader
Author’s leadership has brought transformative change to communities and organizations around the world:
- As the head of strategy for a social innovation lab in the San Francisco Bay Area, he developed cutting-edge
solutions for young children and families. - He relaunched a statewide policy and advocacy organization focused on ensuring every child has access to
high-quality education. - Working with the National Foster Youth Institute (NFYI) in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, he elevated the
voices of young people and partnered with stakeholders to drive meaningful reforms in child welfare.
Author has also led a global strategy consulting firm, working alongside governments, nonprofits, and businesses
to deliver real, lasting impact. He has shared his expertise with: a sitting First Lady, elected officials, ministers of
education, universities, nonprofit organizations, police departments, and community leaders. Across a range of
critical issues—including educational reform and anti-violence initiatives—Author has expanded access to
education and made schools safer for thousands of children. His ability to unite diverse voices and craft
innovative, effective solutions has earned him recognition as a results-driven problem solver.
A Champion for Justice and Equity
As a creative thinker and advocate for fairness, Author has:
- Partnered with filmmakers, The Innocence Project, and the USC School of Cinematic Arts to explore the costs
of policing, prosecution, and incarceration through film and storytelling. - Advised the City and State of Rio de Janeiro on the redevelopment of its historic port area, driving economic
development, promoting social justice, and ensuring equitable growth in preparation for the World Cup and
Olympics. - Designed data-driven strategies for some of the world’s largest companies, helping them embrace diversity
and inclusion in meaningful ways.
Locally, Author has been addressing pressing issues that impact families in DeSoto for many years. More than a
decade ago, he served as a Deputy Clerk in Dallas County Criminal Courts, where he gained firsthand experience
in the criminal legal system and developed a deep understanding of the importance of fairness, integrity, and
accountability in public service. As a REALTOR® since 2018, Author has helped families build and pass down
generational wealth through real estate, life insurance investments, and trusts. He is also actively working with
legislators to tackle unregulated spaces like HOAs and storage facilities, where too many families are unfairly
abused and exploited with little legal protection.
A Vision for DeSoto
Author’s global experiences have shaped his vision for DeSoto: a community where every family feels safe, every
child has access to excellent schools, and every resident has the opportunity to thrive. He understands the
importance of public safety, economic development, and the critical necessity of transparency, integrity, and
accountability in government. Author is committed to addressing these priorities head-on.
Author was previously appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for the DeSoto Development Corporation,
where he contributed to initiatives that foster growth and opportunity in the community. He believes that DeSoto
deserves bold, compassionate leadership that truly listens to its residents, values collaboration, and drives real
progress. Author is running for mayor to ensure DeSoto’s best days are ahead and that every resident—regardless
of their background or connections—has a seat at the table.
A Commitment to Community
From supporting a child welfare reform movement to shaping inclusive policies for multinational companies,
Author has built his career on creating better futures for communities. Now, he’s ready to bring that same
dedication and expertise to DeSoto. With Author Anderson as mayor, DeSoto will be a city that champions
opportunity, innovation, and equity for every family.
Together, we can create a brighter, more prosperous future for The People of DeSoto.
Let’s make DeSoto BETTER TOGETHER.
Better
together
campaign
Author anderson, MPP, Ed.M.
MAYORAL CANDIDATE 2025
Desoto, tx
Author Anderson is a proud community advocate and experienced leader with a proven track record of delivering
innovative and effective solutions. With expertise spanning public policy, education, business, real estate, and
social justice, Author is committed to building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous DeSoto for every family.
A lifelong learner, Author has earned degrees from Northwestern University, the University of Southern California
(USC), and Harvard University, equipping him with a world-class education and the tools to tackle complex
challenges. Over the course of his career, he has worked tirelessly to improve lives—locally, nationally, and
globally.
A Proven Leader
Author’s leadership has brought transformative change to communities and organizations around the world:
· As the head of strategy for a social innovation lab in the San Francisco Bay Area, he developed cutting-edge
solutions for young children and families.
· He relaunched a statewide policy and advocacy organization focused on ensuring every child has access to
high-quality education.
· Working with the National Foster Youth Institute (NFYI) in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, he elevated the
voices of young people and partnered with stakeholders to drive meaningful reforms in child welfare.
Author has also led a global strategy consulting firm, working alongside governments, nonprofits, and businesses
to deliver real, lasting impact. He has shared his expertise with: a sitting First Lady, elected officials, ministers of
education, universities, nonprofit organizations, police departments, and community leaders. Across a range of
critical issues—including educational reform and anti-violence initiatives—Author has expanded access to
education and made schools safer for thousands of children. His ability to unite diverse voices and craft
innovative, effective solutions has earned him recognition as a results-driven problem solver.
A Champion for Justice and Equity
As a creative thinker and advocate for fairness, Author has:
· Partnered with filmmakers, The Innocence Project, and the USC School of Cinematic Arts to explore the costs
of policing, prosecution, and incarceration through film and storytelling.
· Advised the City and State of Rio de Janeiro on the redevelopment of its historic port area, driving economic
development, promoting social justice, and ensuring equitable growth in preparation for the World Cup and
Olympics.
- Designed data-driven strategies for some of the world’s largest companies, helping them embrace diversity
and inclusion in meaningful ways.
Locally, Author has been addressing pressing issues that impact families in DeSoto for many years. More than a
decade ago, he served as a Deputy Clerk in Dallas County Criminal Courts, where he gained firsthand experience
in the criminal legal system and developed a deep understanding of the importance of fairness, integrity, and
accountability in public service. As a REALTOR® since 2018, Author has helped families build and pass down
generational wealth through real estate, life insurance investments, and trusts. He is also actively working with
legislators to tackle unregulated spaces like HOAs and storage facilities, where too many families are unfairly
abused and exploited with little legal protection.
A Vision for DeSoto
Author’s global experiences have shaped his vision for DeSoto: a community where every family feels safe, every
child has access to excellent schools, and every resident has the opportunity to thrive. He understands the
importance of public safety, economic development, and the critical necessity of transparency, integrity, and
accountability in government. Author is committed to addressing these priorities head-on.
Author was previously appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for the DeSoto Development Corporation,
where he contributed to initiatives that foster growth and opportunity in the community. He believes that DeSoto
deserves bold, compassionate leadership that truly listens to its residents, values collaboration, and drives real
progress. Author is running for mayor to ensure DeSoto’s best days are ahead and that every resident—regardless
of their background or connections—has a seat at the table.
A Commitment to Community
From supporting a child welfare reform movement to shaping inclusive policies for multinational companies,
Author has built his career on creating better futures for communities. Now, he’s ready to bring that same
dedication and expertise to DeSoto. With Author Anderson as mayor, DeSoto will be a city that champions
opportunity, innovation, and equity for every family.
Together, we can create a brighter, more prosperous future for The People of DeSoto.
Let’s make DeSoto BETTER TOGETHER.
Political ad paid for by Author Anderson Campaign, Wendy J. Johnson, Treasurer.
DeSoto, TX
Transparency.
Integrity.
Accountability.
DeSoto residents have been expressing an urgent need for
change.
Change in Policy & Practice
Change in Systems
Change in Leadership
Many DeSoto residents have expressed that they are unable to
participate and engage in City Council meetings due to the
scheduled time. Other cities have made use of technology as a
regular practice to allow the public to appear and speak virtually.
We can increase participation and hear diverse voices by
meeting people where they are in our 21st Century world.
Those who have appeared in-person to voice concerns or ask
questions and those who have submitted written
correspondence have often not received appropriate responses,
if any response at all.
- Public Safety concerns and calls for a change in leadership of the
Police Department have been coming from inside and outside of
the Police Department.
Better
together
campaign
Better Together Campaign: DeSoto, TX
These specific commitments aim to make DeSoto a more
transparently governed city,
strengthen the integrity of City government, and improve the
accountability of those serving the City of DeSoto.
Let’s rebuild public trust.
City Council Commitments:
- Establish a way for the public to speak at DeSoto City Council meetings
virtually. - Respond to ALL citizen concerns raised during the Citizen Appearances
portion of the City Council Meeting Agenda within 48 hours, making use
of the contact information already collected from each speaker. - Provide comprehensive answers to all posed questions.
- Acknowledge the value of the shared information: grievances,
compliments, announcements, etc. - Present proposed solutions to issues within 7 business days.
- Employ City Attorneys who only work for the City of DeSoto &
consistently follow Robert’s Rules of Order. - Ensure ALL City Councilmembers’ & City officials’ meetings, in their
official capacity, are on their respective City calendars, and that the
calendars are accessible & archived by the City Secretary’s Office.
Commitments for City Council, City Manager, Chief of Police, and ALL City
staff:
- Respond in writing to citizen emails, letters, and other written
correspondence within 48 hours of receipt.
Commitments for City Council to Institutionalize Systems for
Transparency, Integrity, & Accountability throughout the City and in the
DeSoto Police Department:
- Establish an Ethics Advisory Commission, Develop a Code of Ethics,
and Hire an Inspector General to monitor city officials’ compliance with
the Code of Ethics, investigate complaints, and hold officials
accountable. - Eliminate the Citizens Police Advisory Committee (CPAC).
- Establish an Office of Community Police Oversight (OCPO), led by a
Police Monitor who reports to the OCPO Board. (The OCPO Board, like
other Boards & Commissions, should be overseen by City Council.) - Ensure diversity and inclusion on the OCPO Board, and intentionally
include DeSoto citizens who have expressed prior serious concerns
about the DeSoto Police Department. - Grant the OCPO Board independent investigative authority and
mandate compliance from the Chief of Police, Police Department, and
City Departments & employees who may be part of a related
investigation. - Mandate that public information be released upon request, instead of
seeking to withhold. Show the public that the DeSoto Police Department
has nothing to hide.
Public Service is a Commitment...
Public Service is a Commitment...
DeSoto... So Much to Love.
Let’s Make it Better Together.
DeSoto residents have been expressing an urgent need for
change.
Change in Policy & Practice
Change in Systems
Change in Leadership
Many DeSoto residents have expressed that they are unable to
participate and engage in City Council meetings due to the
scheduled time. Other cities have made use of technology as a
regular practice to allow the public to appear and speak virtually.
We can increase participation and hear diverse voices by
meeting people where they are in our 21st Century world.
Those who have appeared in-person to voice concerns or ask
questions and those who have submitted written
correspondence have often not received appropriate responses,
if any response at all.
- Public Safety concerns and calls for a change in leadership of the
Police Department have been coming from inside and outside of
the Police Department.
These specific commitments aim to make DeSoto a more
transparently governed city,
strengthen the integrity of City government, and improve the
accountability of those serving the City of DeSoto.
Let’s rebuild public trust.
City Council Commitments:
- Establish a way for the public to speak at DeSoto City Council meetings
virtually. - Respond to ALL citizen concerns raised during the Citizen Appearances
portion of the City Council Meeting Agenda within 48 hours, making use
of the contact information already collected from each speaker. - Provide comprehensive answers to all posed questions.
- Acknowledge the value of the shared information: grievances,
compliments, announcements, etc. - Present proposed solutions to issues within 7 business days.
- Employ City Attorneys who only work for the City of DeSoto &
consistently follow Robert’s Rules of Order. - Ensure ALL City Councilmembers’ & City officials’ meetings, in their
official capacity, are on their respective City calendars, and that the
calendars are accessible & archived by the City Secretary’s Office.
Commitments for City Council, City Manager, Chief of Police, and ALL City
staff:
- Respond in writing to citizen emails, letters, and other written
correspondence within 48 hours of receipt.
Commitments for City Council to Institutionalize Systems for
Transparency, Integrity, & Accountability throughout the City and in the
DeSoto Police Department:
- Establish an Ethics Advisory Commission, Develop a Code of Ethics
(ordinance), and Hire an Inspector General to:- monitor city officials’ compliance with the Code of Ethics,
- investigate complaints, and
- hold officials accountable.
- Eliminate the Citizens Police Advisory Committee (CPAC).
- Establish an Office of Community Police Oversight (OCPO), led by a
Police Monitor who reports to the OCPO Board. (The OCPO Board, like
other Boards & Commissions, should be overseen by City Council.) - Ensure diversity and inclusion on the OCPO Board, and intentionally
include DeSoto citizens who have expressed prior serious concerns
about the DeSoto Police Department. - Grant the OCPO Board independent investigative authority and
mandate compliance from the Chief of Police, Police Department, and
City Departments & employees who may be part of a related
investigation. - Mandate that public information be released upon request, instead of
seeking to withhold. Show the public that the DeSoto Police Department
has nothing to hide.


October 1, 2024
DESOTO POLICE KILLINGS & Mental Health:
Michael Nunez & Jesse Martinez
CENSURE REQUESTS
DeSoto City Coincilmember Crystal Chism, liaison to the Citizens Police Advisory Committee
(CPAC), has been the subject of THREE (3) formal requests for censure within a timeframe of less
than FIVE (5) months:
October 15, 2024 + January 7, 2025 + March 3, 2025
October 15, 2024 - A formal request for censure was delivered on the public record following
evidence of retaliatory conduct in the form of defamation of DeSoto residents.
December 13, 2024
DESOTO POLICE KILLING: Arthur L. Armstrong, Jr.
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- March 3, 2025 - A formal request for censure was delivered in writing to the City Secretary following Crystal Chism’s blatant public violation of the
Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) and resident’s First Amendment rights.
- January 7, 2025 - A formal request for censure was delivered in writing to the City Secretary following Crystal Chism’s public statement released on
December 14, 2024, via Chism’s Facebook in response to the DeSoto Police killing of Arthur L. Armstrong, Jr.
As a resident and as a Precinct Chair, I have been listening to the
concerns and experiences of the residents of DeSoto over the span
of several years, and I support changes that will make DeSoto
better in the areas of Transparency, Integrity, and Accountability.
Remember these are 3 ways that we can make DeSoto BETTER
TOGETHER.
- Vote Intelligently
- Require Transparency, Integrity, & Accountability
- Take Action
Social Media
When posting about the BETTER TOGETHER CAMPAIGN in
DeSoto, TX,
Be sure to use the following:
Hashtags:
#BTCDESOTOTX
#somuchtolove #SoMuchWorkToDo
TAG @cityofdesoto
TAG @authoranderson
Better Together Campaign
Youth Voter Registration Initiative
with Dallas County Elections,
DeSoto High School,
& Lancaster High School
Every City. Every Citizen. Every Voice. Every Vote.
Democracy makes the world better.
Let’s do it together.
guiding philosophy
Click the button below
to learn about the
Better Together Campaign
DeSoto, TX
Click the button below
to learn how you can
Register to Vote
DeSoto, TX
Sign up below for
Better Together Campaign
News
City of DeSoto
Dallas County
State of Texas
United States of America
Change starts with you.
VOTE Intelligently
REQUIRE
Transparency
integrity &
accountability
TAKE ACTION
Our Journey to Change
WHO
Which candidates
should we put in office?
WHAT
What should we require
of those occupying
leadership roles?
WHEN
What actions can we
take NOW?
Local Politics Matter
Vote Intelligently
Register to Vote
- If you need help registering to vote, click
the Register to Vote button below.
Engage, Think, & Ask Questions
- Attend Meetings
- Email your City Council representatives
- Email your State Legislators
Vote in EVERY election
- Primary Elections
- General Elections
- Runoff Elections
require:
Transparency.
Integrity.
Accountability.
These criteria are vital for public servants
committed to serving the public. Public
servants have one primary responsibility: to
serve their community, which includes you.
In order to serve you effectively, it is crucial to
maintain unwavering transparency, integrity,
and accountability.
You should expect transparency, integrity, &
accountability as regular and routine practice
from your local leadership, which includes:
- City Council
- City Manager
- City Attorney
- Chief of Police
Take Action
The City Council's Role
The City Council represents the will of the
people. The citizens of DeSoto have clearly
voiced their dissatisfaction, emphasizing the
essence of democracy.
The will of the people should prevail.
When it does not, there are natural
concerns and questions of
whose interests are being served.
Democracy does not end at the ballot box.
Change happens constantly.
We, The People still hold the power.

Bernadine Harrison’s
message to the Mayor

Keisha Nixon addresses use of funds
for City items being sold on Amazon
by City employee & false statements
from the City denying sales

Author Anderson addresses broad
injustices, weaponizing of police, lack
of integrity, and lack of accountability
Be Engaged & Stay Informed
Important Links
DeSoto City Council Meeting Schedule
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quick links: The Public Record Speaks for Itself
Click the links above to get up to speed on what is happening with public officials in DeSoto, TX.
VOTE INTELLIGENTLY
TAKE ACTION
Transparency, Integrity,
& Accountability
REQUIRE
TAKING ACTION
No Problem! Find out NOW in seconds.
- CLICK HERE
- Enter your address in the top right corner of
the map and Search. - Note the Place # shown on the map.
- Select the corresponding Place number on the
green Navigation Menu along the left side of
the screen. - That is your City Council representative.
View the Meeting Agenda by clicking HERE.
- Arrive before 6pm to complete a Comment
card - NOTE: Comment cards related to specific
agenda items are due prior to the introduction
of an agenda item; however, comment cards
related to the citizen appearances portion of
the agenda must be submitted to the
ambassador's table prior to the start of the
meeting.
Peaceful Demonstrations for a
Better DeSoto
NEXT PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION
FEBRUARY 2025
Sign up for News to get Time & Location
Bring your signs!!!
Additional Dates, Times, & Locations TBD
Voting is a powerful tool to effect change. When it is time to vote, VOTE INTELLIGENTLY.
Voting is one part of an array of actions that you can take to do your part for a BETTER DESOTO.
During campaigns, we often see candidates sharing endorsements from other politicians.
What about your endorsement?
The voices, questions, and concerns of DeSoto residents have been routinely overlooked and
ignored, which should inspire you to take bolder collective action. Share your concerns or simply
inform the officials:
- "I endorse the BETTER TOGETHER CAMPAIGN for a BETTER DESOTO."
E-mail Your
| E-mail Your City Manager &
| E-mail Your
|
Mayor | City Manager | Texas Senator |
City Councilmember | Deputy City Manager | Texas Representative |
City Councilmember | Texas Representative | |
City Councilmember | ||
City Councilmember | ||
City Councilmember | ||
City Councilmember |
action:
E-MAIL YOUR CITY
OFFICIALS & STATE
REPRESENTATIVES
CLICK THE NAMES in the chart to the right to send an
email endorsing the
BETTER TOGETHER CAMPAIGN for a BETTER DESOTO.
You may email them individually or email them all in
one email. It’s your choice of how to make your voice
heard.
If you wish, you may also copy (cc)
desototx@bettertogethercampaign.com
when reaching out to your mayor, council member(s), city manager,
and state legislators to advocate for change.
Contact
Precinct 3602
DCDP Chair: Author Anderson, MPP, Ed.M.
2025 Author Anderson. All Rights Reserved.