Corey Paris

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Corey P. Paris

| birth_name = Corey Phillip Paris

| party = Democratic

| birth_place = Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.

| education = Western Connecticut State University (BS)
University of New Haven (MPA)

| state_house = Connecticut

| term_start = May 4, 2021

| district = 145th

| predecessor = Patricia Billie Miller

| image = Corey Paris 145th.png

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|08|03}}

| residence = Stamford, Connecticut

}}

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.

Early life, education and professional career

Paris was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised by his grandparents in Kansas City, Kansas.{{Cite news|date=2018-11-11|title=Ashlee Eason, Corey Paris|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/11/fashion/weddings/ashlee-eason-corey-paris.html|access-date=2021-05-07|issn=0362-4331}} He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Connecticut State University where he also served as Student Government Association president.{{Cite web |title=2013 Corey Paris – News Archives |url=https://www.wcsu.edu/news-archives/coreyparis/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=www.wcsu.edu |language=en}} In 2013, Paris was an intern for the Clinton Global Initiative, an initiative of the Clinton Foundation.{{Cite web |title=2013 Corey Paris – News Archives |url=https://www.wcsu.edu/news-archives/coreyparis/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=www.wcsu.edu |language=en}} He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Haven.{{Cite web|title=Corey Paris CT State Representative for Stamford|url=https://www2.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Corey_Paris/-N707757|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-07|website=CBIA|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507192554/https://www2.cbia.com/ga/CT_Rep_Corey_Paris/-N707757 |archive-date=2021-05-07 }} Paris was the chief development officer for the Children's Learning Centers of Fairfield County.{{Cite news |last=Sizemore |first=Tyler |date=2022-09-13 |title=In Greenwich, golfers hit the links to support Stamford-based Children’s Learning Centers |url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/In-Greenwich-golfers-hit-the-links-to-support-17438654.php |access-date=2024-01-18 |work=GreenwichTime |language=en-US}} 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. {{Cite web |date=2024-03-25 |title=State Rep Corey Paris Named Person to Person's 'Chief Impact Officer' |url=https://darienite.com/state-rep-corey-paris-named-person-to-persons-chief-impact-officer-545021 |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=Darienite |language=en-US}}

Connecticut General Assembly

Paris 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.{{Cite journal|date=May 4, 2021|title=JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE|url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/jnl/h/pdf/2021HJL00504-R00-JNL.PDF|journal=Journal of the House|volume=Tuesday, May 4, 2021|pages=1}}{{Cite web|title=Corey Paris|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Corey_Paris|access-date=2021-05-07|website=Ballotpedia|language=en}}{{Cite web|last1=Gurciullo|first1=Brianna|last2=Valle|first2=Verónica Del|date=2021-04-27|title=Democrat Corey Paris claims victory in special election for state's 145th House District|url=https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/elections/article/Voters-head-to-the-polls-in-Stamford-s-third-16132764.php|access-date=2021-05-07|website=StamfordAdvocate|language=en-US}} He is the first African American male to represent the 145th district.{{Cite news |last=Gurciullo |first=Brianna |date=2022-02-26 |title=Before 2008, Stamford had never sent a Black legislator to Hartford. Now the city has 3: ‘We’ve come a long way’ |url=https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Before-2008-Stamford-had-never-sent-a-Black-16948724.php |access-date=2024-01-18 |work=StamfordAdvocate |language=en-US}} During his first term in the legislature, Paris was appointed to serve as a member of the Appropriations, Education, and Environmental committees.{{Cite web|title=Rep. Paris Appointed to the Appropriations Committee {{!}} Connecticut House Democrats|url=https://www.housedems.ct.gov/node/20386|access-date=2022-02-01|website=www.housedems.ct.gov}}

Paris was re-elected on November 8, 2022, with 75% of the vote.{{Cite news |last=Gurciullo |first=Brianna |date=2022-11-09 |title=Stamford Democrat Corey Paris beats Republican Fritz Blau to win CT state House 145th District race |url=https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/CT-House-145-District-win-Corey-Paris-17558510.php |access-date=2024-01-18 |work=StamfordAdvocate |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=2023-2024 House Democratic Leadership {{!}} Connecticut House Democrats |url=https://housedems.ct.gov/leadership |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=housedems.ct.gov}} His committee appointments include Education, Higher Education & Employment Advancement, and a reappointment to the Appropriations committee, where he serves as vice chair.{{Cite web |title=Biography {{!}} Connecticut House Democrats |url=https://www.housedems.ct.gov/Paris/Biography |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=www.housedems.ct.gov}} Additionally, Paris co-chairs the bipartisan [https://futurecaucus.org/ Future Caucus.] {{Cite web |title=CT Rep. Corey Paris |url=https://futurecaucus.org/future-caucus/state-future-caucus-network/state-caucus-chairs/corey-paris/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Future Caucus |language=en-US}}

File:Paris at press conference.jpg

During his second term, Paris worked on issues such as homelessness,{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=State leaders and housing advocates address homelessness in Fairfield County |url=https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2023-10-16/state-leaders-and-housing-advocates-address-homelessness-in-fairfield-county |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Connecticut Public |language=en}} support for first responders, universal early childhood education,{{Cite news |last=Racine |first=Claire K |date=2022-10-28 |title=CT state House 145th District race: Republican Fritz Blau vs. Democrat Corey Paris |url=https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/CT-House-145-District-race-Blau-Paris-17530995.php |access-date=2024-01-18 |work=StamfordAdvocate |language=en-US}} and student loan forgiveness.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-27 |title=Proposed pilot program aims to provide student loan relief to certain Connecticut workers |url=https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2023-03-27/proposed-pilot-program-aims-to-provide-student-loan-relief-to-certain-connecticut-workers |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Connecticut Public |language=en}} Notably, he introduced a bill addressing student loan debt, creating a reimbursement program for Connecticut residents with bipartisan backing.{{Cite web |title=Representative Paris Applauds Passage of HB 6901 - Student Loan Bill {{!}} Connecticut House Democrats |url=https://www.housedems.ct.gov/node/25608 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=www.housedems.ct.gov}}

Paris also worked on education reform, ensuring financial literacy is a graduation mandate in public schools.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Erica E. |date=2023-05-31 |title=CT adopts financial literacy requirement for high school graduates |url=https://www.courant.com/2023/05/31/ct-adopts-financial-literacy-requirement-for-high-school-graduates/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Hartford Courant |language=en-US}} His leadership recognition includes honors such as the 100 Men of Color Honoree,{{Cite web |date=2023-11-11 |title=WCSU Alumnus and State Rep. Corey Paris Honored |url=https://patch.com/connecticut/naugatuck/wcsu-alumnus-state-rep-corey-paris-honored |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Naugatuck, CT Patch |language=en}} Connecticut Voices for Children’s Champion 2022, and being listed among the NAACP Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut.

In 2023, the [https://www.csg.org/ 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.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-08 |title=State Rep. Corey Paris, Of Stamford, Selected For '20 Under 40 Leadership Award' |url=https://patch.com/connecticut/stamford/state-rep-corey-paris-selected-20-under-40-leadership-award |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Stamford, CT Patch |language=en}} Paris serves as the vice chair of the Mayor’s Multicultural Council and holds board positions with the Stamford Partnership and the Ferguson Library.{{Cite web |title=Board of Trustees {{!}} Ferguson Library |url=https://www.fergusonlibrary.org/board-trustees |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=www.fergusonlibrary.org}}

Personal life

In 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.{{Cite web |title=CAPITOL REPORT 2024® |url=https://www.ctcapitolreport.com/mondays/encampments-at-uconn-canino-v-cook-and-a-connecticut-love-story |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=www.ctcapitolreport.com}}

They reside in Stamford, Connecticut. {{Cite web |date=2024-05-01 |title='Going to the chapel!' {{!}} FOX61's Symphonie Privett's surprise engagement! |url=https://www.fox61.com/video/news/local/morning-show/going-to-the-chapel-fox61s-symphonie-privetts-surprise-engagement/520-a76f0563-6a01-4c00-881a-8bd27f00fc30 |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=fox61.com |language=en-US}}

References

External links

Category:Living people

Category:Democratic Party members of the Connecticut House of Representatives

Category:African-American state legislators in Connecticut

Category:Politicians from Little Rock, Arkansas

Category:Politicians from Kansas City, Kansas

Category:Western Connecticut State University alumni

Category:University of New Haven alumni

Category:21st-century African-American politicians

Category:1991 births

Category:21st-century members of the Connecticut General Assembly