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ABOUT
MEET VANESSA
She's the first woman and African American to lead our borough, breaking barriers and making history.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson
She's not just our representative—she's our neighbor, our voice, our champion. For over 20 years, from the Assembly to the City Council to becoming our Borough President, Vanessa has been in the trenches with us, working tirelessly to uplift every Bronxite.
She's one of us - a daughter of the Bronx who has
walked in our shoes and fought our fights.
Vanessa's journey in public service began in 2001 as an intern in the New York State Assembly, where she worked alongside then-Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene, What started as an internship blossomed into a calling. Vanessa quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a key staff member overseeing the Bronx office and working directly with constituents.
In 2009, when Assemblywoman Greene stepped down after twenty-eight years of service, Vanessa stepped up. With community support, she won the special election to represent the 77th. During her time in the Assembly, Vanessa fought tirelessly for resources, safety, and opportunities for Bronx families.
Recognizing the need for strong leadership at the city level, Vanessa successfully ran for New York City Council in 2013. As a Council Member, she emerged as a powerful advocate for affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and public safety.
NYS Assembly
City Council
Vanessa made history as the first African American woman to chair the Council's Public Safety Committee, where she pushed for better police training, community-centered approaches to safety, and alternatives to incarceration that could break cycles of injustice.
But Vanessa isn't in it for the accolades
- she's in it for us.
One of her proudest achievements came in 2017, when she collaborated with then-Council Member Mark Levine to pass the landmark Right to Counsel legislation, ensuring free legal representation for income-eligible tenants facing eviction. This groundbreaking law has prevented countless families from losing their homes and becoming another statistic in the housing crisis.
In 2021, Vanessa made history again when Bronx voters elected her as the first woman and first African American Bronx Borough President.
Since taking office, Vanessa has directed over $50 million to our schools, secured funding for cultural landmarks, advocated fiercely for affordable housing, and ensured the Bronx has a seat at every table where decisions are made. When tragedy struck with the Twin Parks fire, she didn't just offer words - she took action to improve fire safety and address root causes.
Fire Safety
For Vanessa, being Borough President isn't just about managing a budget or attending ribbon cuttings. It's about showing up in every neighborhood, listening to residents' concerns, and delivering tangible improvements that make daily life better for the 1.4 million people who call the Bronx home.​
The Bronx faces real challenges—from housing affordability to healthcare access, from educational opportunity to economic development. But Vanessa has never been one to shy away from a fight, especially when it comes to standing up for her community.
With your support, Vanessa will continue building on her record of delivering results—not just promises—for every Bronx neighborhood from Riverdale to Soundview.
Because for Vanessa, public service has never been about political ambition—it's about making government work for the people who need it most.
Re-election
Invest in OUR Bronx future.
JOIN HUNDREDS OF YOUR NEIGHBORS - CHIP IN TODAY!
Your contribution supports Vanessa's work on affordable housing, education funding, healthcare access, and community safety throughout the Bronx.
CLICK HERE IF YOU PREFER TO MAIL A CONTRIBUTION.
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