Jermaine Reed is an American public official who served on the Kansas City, Missouri City Council, where he represented the city's 3rd District from 2011 to 2019. Reed unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of Kansas City in 2019.
Early life and education Reed grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. Reed experienced homelessness as a teenager, later becoming involved in civic groups and student media. Reed earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Missouri.
Career
Kansas City Council (2011–2019) In 2011, Reed was elected to represent the 3rd District on the Kansas City Council at age 25 and was described by KCUR as the youngest councilman to serve in elected office. He was re-elected in 2015.
Reed supported development initiatives. After his election, Reed worked to attract full-service grocery stores to "food desert" neighborhoods. In 2014, an Aldi Süd grocery store was opened at 39th Street and Prospect Avenue, with Reed voicing approval. Later, a Sun Fresh grocery opened at the Linwood Shopping Center.
In 2017, Reed announced his candidacy for mayor of Kansas City in the 2019 election to succeed Mayor Sly James.
Reed participated in the selection and approval process for the new Kansas City International Airport terminal as a member of the selection committee and later voted with the City Council to approve Edgemoor for the project.
Metropolitan Community College Board of Trustees
Since 2020, Reed has served on the Metropolitan Community College Board of Trustees (Subdistrict 2).
Reed was reelected to the Metropolitan Community College Board of Trustees for Subdistrict 2 in April 2026.
Election results
2011 City Council election
General + 2011 Kansas City Council General – 3rd District Candidate Party Vote % Votes Jermaine Reed Nonpartisan 64.98% 5,156 Sharon Brooks Nonpartisan 35.02% 2,779 Total votes 100.00% 7,935 Source: Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners, Municipal General Election Official Results, March 22, 2011.
2015 City Council election
Primary + 2015 Kansas City Council Primary – 3rd District Candidate Party Vote % Votes Jermaine Reed (incumbent) Nonpartisan 57.04% 2,752 Jamekia Kendrix Nonpartisan 17.45% 842 Rachel Riley Nonpartisan 11.09% 535 Bryan Dial Nonpartisan 7.52% 363 Shaheer Akhtab Nonpartisan 6.61% 319 Write-ins — 0.29% 14 Total votes 100.00% 4,825 Source: Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners, Past Election Results (see "April 7, 2015 — Municipal Primary & School Board Election").
General + 2015 Kansas City Council General – 3rd District Candidate Party Vote % Votes Jermaine Reed (incumbent) Nonpartisan 72.05% 3,701 Jamekia Kendrix Nonpartisan 27.95% 1,436 Total votes 100.00% 5,137 Source: Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners, Past Election Results (see "June 23, 2015 — Municipal General Election").
Education Reed holds a degree in political science from the University of Missouri and an Executive Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.
Awards 2025 Alvin Brooks Award from the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission at its 76th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon
References