State Representative Eric Johnson was awarded the 2018 Cleophas R. Steele, Jr. Social Justice Award for his work in the Texas Legislature. He accepted the award at Good Street Baptist Church in Dallas on Sunday, Dec. 16.
“I am truly humbled to have received this award. Cleophas Steele was a true public servant and having grown up in the City of Dallas, I know firsthand the significance of his contributions to our community,” Representative Johnson stated.
The Cleophas R. Steele, Jr. Social Justice Award was established honor of the late Judge Cleophas Steele. Judge Steele was a graduate of Lincoln High School, a school located in the district Representative Johnson currently represents. He founded one of the first African American law firms in the City of Dallas and served as an associate municipal judge and Justice of the Peace for 31 years. After retiring in 2006, Judge Steele returned to serve as a Constable for Precinct 1 in Dallas, a position he held until he passed away in 2015.
Judge Steele and was an active member of Good Street Baptist Church, where he served on the Board of Deacons and the Board of Trustees. He had a remarkable career in public service and made countless contributions to his community and the City of Dallas as a whole.
Judge Steele left behind his wife, Barbara Steele, who remains an active member of Good Street Baptist Church and who presented Representative Johnson with the 2018 Cleophas R. Steele, Jr. Social Justice Award.
Representative Johnson has represented District 100 in the Texas House of Representatives since 2010. Since he was first elected, he has passed transformative social justice policies for the State of Texas dealing with reforming the criminal justice system, expanding early childhood education, increasing financial security, and closing the school-to-prison pipeline.
“I am grateful for this recognition, and there is still a lot of work to be done. I plan to continue fighting for social justice and policies to advance our community when the 86th Texas Legislature convenes in January,” Johnson added.
Great article on Judge Cleophus Steele’s contributions to Dallas. But the article did not name one thing that Eric Johnson has done to advance’s Steele lifetime commitment to social justice. Barbara’s State Rep. Toni Rose has done more for social justice or is this award only for lawyers and since Eric is the only black house member from Dallas is an attorney, did he get it on default? is that it.? Eric Johnson said nothing about Jean Botham who was a member of Johnson’s home church and a constituent in District 100. At least Senator West did engage the Texas state agencies in the investigation.