Newark Native Named Director Of Essex County LGBTQ Affairs Office – Patch

NEWARK, NJ — A Newark native, Reginald Bledsoe, will lead a newly launched “Essex County Office of LGBTQ Affairs” as it supports the local community and helps advocates to push for reform, officials recently announced.

Essex County officials announced the creation of the agency last week, noting that it will be tasked with “supporting the LBGTQ community and providing a platform to address issues, advocate for reforms and raise awareness.”

Bledsoe, a Newark native, has been named as the office’s first director. Read More: Essex County Launches Office Of LGBTQ Affairs

“This is indeed a red-letter day for Essex County and its LGBTQ community,” Bledsoe said.

“The creation of this office signals that LGBTQ+ individuals are full members of the Essex County community and that the county government will listen to our concerns, address our needs and respond to our desires,” Bledsoe added, thanking county officials and the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board for their efforts.

According to a statement from county officials, Bledsoe is no stranger to the local political scene. Born and raised in Newark, he graduated from Essex County Newark Tech, was elected as the youngest Democratic District Leader in District 5 of Newark’s Central Ward, and served as a member of the Newark Board of Education from 2017 to 2020. He received the Essex County Pride Award in 2017.

Bledsoe worked in Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration for four years, starting with the NJ Department of Education before transitioning to the Department of Community Affairs. He also worked as a legislative aide to Essex County Commissioner President Wayne Richardson and former President Blonnie Watson. He currently serves as a member of the NJ Performing Arts Center’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Council.

That’s not all, county officials said:

“Previously, Bledsoe served as an advisory board member for New Jersey Child Assault Prevention (NJ CAP), a statewide community-based prevention program, and a Legislative Aide to Newark Councilman Eddie Osborne. He also has served in various capacities with the Newark Municipal Government, High Park Gardens Cooperative Corporation and the late United States Senator Frank R. Lautenberg. He is a former member of the New Jersey Federation of Housing Cooperatives and the National Association of Housing Cooperatives, and has been on the Board of Directors for United Community Corporation, One Voice for LGBTQ Issues, and Newark Gay Pride. He is the recipient of numerous community awards. He was featured in Observer New Jersey’s List of 50 Powerful Young Black Democrats in 2015 and as one of New Jersey’s 30 Under 30: Political Up-and-Comers in 2016. He studied at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania before completing his studies in Political Science at Montclair State University and was elected as the first African American Male Student Trustee on MSU’s Board of Trustees.”

Several officials and community members lauded the announcement, as well as Bledsoe’s appointment.

“Reggie is the perfect individual for this job and we look forward to working with him,” said Hyacinth Foundation Executive Director Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien, who also serves as co-chair of the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board.

Essex County Citizen Services Director Anibal Ramos, who also is Newark’s North Ward Councilman, also congratulated Bledsoe, adding that his new post will be much more than “ceremonial.”

“Reggie is a tremendous individual who is right for the job,” Essex County Prosecutor Ted Stephens agreed.

The Essex County Office of LGBTQ Affairs is part of the Essex County Division of Community Action. For more information, call 973-395-8350.

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