State Senator Ed Gomes (D-Bridgeport, Stratford) was honored by the Connecticut State Conference of the NAACP at a ceremony in Hartford earlier this month, and named one of the “100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut.”
“It is truly an honor to have been recognized by the NAACP, an association of leaders, as an influential member of Connecticut’s African American community. I admire so many people on this year’s list, and it is flattering to be counted among them. I will continue working in the year ahead to make a difference in the lives of African Americans, in the area of housing and on many other issues,” said Senator Gomes.
The ceremony was held in Hartford during the 46th NAACP State Convention on December 10th, which featured committee meetings, workshops for youth and adults and a health fair. Dick Gregory, an author, comedian and key figure in the civil rights movement, offered keynote remarks before presentation of the awards.
Senator Gomes served in the US Army from 1958-1963, before taking work as a laborer and member of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA). He was the first African American to serve as International Representative and the Civil Rights Coordinator for District 1 of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA), comprised of all the New England states. He was eventually elected as a vice president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO Executive Board.
Senator Gomes served on the Bridgeport City Council for a total of 13 years before winning the 23rd State Senate seat in a special election in November of 2005. He represents the communities of Bridgeport and Stratford, and serves as Senate Chair of the Housing Committee.
Other notable honorees from the Bridgeport area included:
- State Rep. Charles “Don” Clemons (D-Bridgeport)
- State Rep. Charlie L. Stallworth (D-Bridgeport)
- Kristin duBay Horton, Director of Health & Social Services for the City of Bridgeport
- Deborah Caviness Sr., Program Administrator for the City of Bridgeport
- Peter F. Hurst, Jr., President & CEO of The Community’s Bank
- Charles Tisdale, Executive Director of ABCD
- Actor Michael Jai White