Glenn Heights mayor appointed to two National League of Cities member councils

GLENN HEIGHTS – Glenn Heights Mayor Sonja A. Brown has been appointed to two National League of Cities member councils. Her first appointment is to the NLC 2025 Small Cities Council for a one-year term to develop and guide programs among local elected officials from similar communities.

NLC President Steve Patterson, who serves as mayor of Athens, Ohio, made the appointment.

"Being appointed to the National League of Cities Small City Council is both an honor and a responsibility. It represents a commitment to advocating for the unique needs of small cities, fostering collaboration, and driving policies that create sustainable, thriving communities. This appointment is an opportunity to amplify local voices on a national stage, ensuring that every city, regardless of size, has the resources and support needed to prosper." Glenn Heights Mayor Sonja A. Brown

As a member of NLC's Small Cities Council, Brown will play a key role among a diverse group of local leaders to encourage collaboration, networking, and the development of resources and programs beneficial to communities that share demographics, size, or location that can be replicated across the country.

"It is crucial that we bring together local leaders that are representative of all communities to share solutions, and challenges from their hometowns, which are used to develop NLC policies and programs," Patterson said. "Bringing the experience and leadership of Mayor Sonja A. Brown to serve as a member on NLC's Small Cities Council this year goes a long way to ensuring every city, town, and village has the resources they need to lift up their communities and improve the lives of their residents.

This year's Small Cities Council leadership will consist of:

Chair: Mary Sarver, mayor pro tem, Grandview, Texas

Vice Chair: Rashad Roberts, council member, Chadbourn, North Carolina

Vice Chair: Gloria Solorio, council member, Avondale, Arizona

Board Liaison: Bianca Motley Broom, mayor, College Park, Georgia

Brown garners second NLC appointment

Brown was also appointed to the NLC 2025 Council on Youth, Education, and Families for a one-year term to develop and guide programs among local elected officials from similar communities. The appointment was also announced by Patterson.

"I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to the National League of Cities' 2025 Council on Youth, Education, and Families, a role that carries great responsibility,” Brown said. “Our youth are the foundation of our communities, and ensuring they have access to quality education, essential resources, and strong support systems is critical to building a brighter future. This appointment reaffirms my commitment to advocating for policies that uplift families, strengthen educational opportunities, and create pathways for success. As a Texas mayor, I will also continue working to ensure our public schools are fully funded so every child, regardless of their ZIP code, has the opportunity to thrive. I look forward to collaborating with leaders from across the nation to drive meaningful change that benefits not only Glenn Heights but cities, towns, and villages everywhere."

As a member of NLC's Council on Youth, Education, and Families, Brown will look to develop beneficial resources and programs that can be replicated by communities that share demographics, size or location.

"It is crucial that we bring together local leaders that are representative of all communities to share solutions, and challenges from their hometowns, which are used to develop NLC policies and programs," Patterson said. "Bring the experience and leadership of Mayor Brown to serve as a member of NLC's Council on Youth, Education, and Families this year goes a long way to ensuring every city, town, and village has the resources they need to lift up their communities and improve the lives of their residents."

This year's Council on Youth, Education, and Families leadership will consist of:

Chair: Tim Kelly, mayor, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Vice Chair: Jessica Harrison, mayor pro tem, Zebulon, North Carolina

Vice Chair: Ryan Wilson, alderman, Dardenne Prairie, Missouri

For more information on NLC's Member Councils, visit: https://www.nlc.org/current-initiatives/member-councils-2/.