Vanessa L. Gibson

On November 2, 2021, Vanessa L. Gibson was elected as the 14th Bronx Borough President, entrusted with serving the over 1.4 million residents and families who call the Bronx home.

A native New Yorker, Ms. Gibson began her career dedicated to the people of the West Bronx. In January 2001, while a student at the University at Albany, she joined the New York State Assembly Intern Program, where she was assigned to then-Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene. As an intern, she engaged in legislative work, attended meetings, and connected with constituents and community groups on behalf of the Assemblywoman’s office.

Upon graduating, Ms. Gibson transitioned to the role of Legislative Aide and subsequently advanced to District Manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Bronx office. In this capacity, she managed staff and ensured effective administrative and constituent services. Ms. Gibson served as District Manager for several years until Assemblywoman Greene resigned in May 2009 after twenty-eight years in office. With the support of her community and family, Ms. Gibson decided to run for the New York State Assembly, winning a special election on June 2, 2009, to represent the 77th District.

During her two terms in the New York State Assembly, Ms. Gibson sought to address critical issues. In 2013, she ran for an open seat in the New York City Council, succeeding the term-limited Council Member Helen Diane Foster. She was elected to the Council in November 2013.

As a Council Member, Ms. Gibson emerged as a leader on matters of education, affordable housing, public safety, and criminal justice reform. She advocated for alternatives to incarceration, tenant protections, enhanced police training, and made history as the first African American woman to chair the New York City Council Public Safety Committee.

In 2017, she collaborated with then-Council Member Mark Levine to pass the landmark Right to Counsel legislation, which provides free legal representation for income-eligible tenants facing eviction in Housing Court. Additionally, Ms. Gibson championed a mandate for the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy to develop a comprehensive ten-year food strategy for New York City aimed at improving access to healthy food options, utilizing community gardens and urban agriculture, and addressing food deserts.

In 2020, Ms. Gibson announced her candidacy for Bronx Borough President with a vision to advance the Bronx through initiatives focused on public safety, food equity, housing insecurity, health and wellness, gender equity, and support for the LGBTQIA+ community, among other pressing issues. After winning her primary election in June and the general election in November, she proudly became the first woman and African American Bronx Borough President.