Corey Phillip Paris is an American politician serving as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 145th district. Elected in an April 29, 2021 special election, he assumed office on May 4, 2021. He was re-elected to a second term in November 2022.
Corey P. Paris | |
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Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 145th district | |
Assumed office May 4, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Patricia Billie Miller |
Personal details | |
Born | Corey Phillip Paris August 3, 1991 Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | Stamford, Connecticut |
Education | Western Connecticut State University (BS) University of New Haven (MPA) |
Early life, Education & Professional Career
editParis was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and raised by his grandparents in Kansas City, Kansas.[1] He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Connecticut State University where he also served as Student Government Association president.[2] In 2013, Paris was an intern for the Clinton Global Initiative, an initiative of the Clinton Foundation.[3] He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Haven.[4] Paris was the Chief Development Officer for the Children's Learning Centers of Fairfield County.[5] In April 2024, Paris assumed the role of Chief Impact Officer at Person-to-Person, a nonprofit organization providing resources and support to individuals and families in lower Fairfield County; addresses food insecurity, financial assistance, and educational opportunities. [6]
Connecticut General Assembly
editParis was the president of the Connecticut Young Democrats. He also worked for People for the American Way. He was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives on April 27, 2021, special election with 76% of the vote, and assumed office on May 4, 2021.[7][8][9] He is the first African American male to represent the 145th district.[10] During his first term in the legislature, Paris was appointed to serve as a member of the Appropriations, Education, and Environmental committees.[11]
Paris was re-elected on November 8, 2022, with 75% of the vote.[12] He was sworn into his second term, on January 4, 2023. He was appointed to the role of Majority Caucus Chair, for the House Democratic Caucus.[13] His committee appointments include Education, Higher Education & Employment Advancement, and a reappointment to the Appropriations committee, where he serves as vice chair.[14] Additionally, Paris co-chairs the bipartisan Future Caucus. [15]
During his second term, Paris worked on issues such as homelessness,[16] support for first responders, universal early childhood education,[17] and student loan forgiveness.[18] Notably, he introduced a bill addressing student loan debt, creating a reimbursement program for Connecticut residents with bipartisan backing.[19]
Paris also worked on education reform, ensuring financial literacy is a graduation mandate in public schools.[20] His leadership recognition includes honors such as the 100 Men of Color Honoree,[21] Connecticut Voices for Children’s Champion 2022,[21] and being listed among the NAACP Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut.[21]
In 2023, the Council of State Governments (CSG) acknowledged Paris as one of the 20 Under 40 Leadership Award recipients, an annual recognition of outstanding work by up-and-coming officials nationwide.[22] Paris serves as the vice chair of the Mayor’s Multicultural Council and holds board positions with the Stamford Partnership and the Ferguson Library.[23]
Personal Life
editIn April 2024, Paris announced his engagement to Symphonie Privett, a morning news anchor and reporter at Fox 61. Privett, known for her exceptional journalism, she earned a nomination for a New England Emmy Award for her hosting of Fox 61's Juneteenth Special 'Rooted in Resilience.' Born into a Navy family in California, Privett's upbringing took her across the United States and around the world, eventually leading her to graduate from Arkansas State University. The couple met 2022, and began dating in 2023.[24]
They reside in Stamford, Connecticut. [25]
References
edit- ^ "Ashlee Eason, Corey Paris". The New York Times. 2018-11-11. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ "2013 Corey Paris – News Archives". www.wcsu.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "2013 Corey Paris – News Archives". www.wcsu.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "Corey Paris CT State Representative for Stamford". CBIA. Archived from the original on 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ Sizemore, Tyler (2022-09-13). "In Greenwich, golfers hit the links to support Stamford-based Children's Learning Centers". GreenwichTime. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "State Rep Corey Paris Named Person to Person's 'Chief Impact Officer'". Darienite. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE" (PDF). Journal of the House. Tuesday, May 4, 2021: 1. May 4, 2021.
- ^ "Corey Paris". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ Gurciullo, Brianna; Valle, Verónica Del (2021-04-27). "Democrat Corey Paris claims victory in special election for state's 145th House District". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ Gurciullo, Brianna (2022-02-26). "Before 2008, Stamford had never sent a Black legislator to Hartford. Now the city has 3: 'We've come a long way'". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "Rep. Paris Appointed to the Appropriations Committee | Connecticut House Democrats". www.housedems.ct.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
- ^ Gurciullo, Brianna (2022-11-09). "Stamford Democrat Corey Paris beats Republican Fritz Blau to win CT state House 145th District race". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "2023-2024 House Democratic Leadership | Connecticut House Democrats". housedems.ct.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "Biography | Connecticut House Democrats". www.housedems.ct.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "CT Rep. Corey Paris". Future Caucus. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "State leaders and housing advocates address homelessness in Fairfield County". Connecticut Public. 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ Racine, Claire K (2022-10-28). "CT state House 145th District race: Republican Fritz Blau vs. Democrat Corey Paris". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "Proposed pilot program aims to provide student loan relief to certain Connecticut workers". Connecticut Public. 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "Representative Paris Applauds Passage of HB 6901 - Student Loan Bill | Connecticut House Democrats". www.housedems.ct.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ Phillips, Erica E. (2023-05-31). "CT adopts financial literacy requirement for high school graduates". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ a b c "WCSU Alumnus and State Rep. Corey Paris Honored". Naugatuck, CT Patch. 2023-11-11. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "State Rep. Corey Paris, Of Stamford, Selected For '20 Under 40 Leadership Award'". Stamford, CT Patch. 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "Board of Trustees | Ferguson Library". www.fergusonlibrary.org. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "CAPITOL REPORT 2024®". www.ctcapitolreport.com. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "'Going to the chapel!' | FOX61's Symphonie Privett's surprise engagement!". fox61.com. 2024-05-01. Retrieved 2024-05-03.