Joseph Mann facts for kids

Joseph E. Mann was born in 1955. He is a person who worked in the government of Connecticut. He was a representative for Norwalk in the Connecticut House of Representatives. He served for two terms, from 2003 to 2007.

Before that, he spent nine years on the Norwalk Common Council. This group helps run the city of Norwalk. He even served as its president for a time. Today, he helps lead the Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now organization.

Early Life and Education

Joseph E. Mann was born in North Carolina in 1955. He is the oldest of five children. When he was three years old, his family moved to Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1958.

He went to public schools in Norwalk. He graduated from Brien McMahon High School in 1973. After high school, he studied business at Bethune-Cookman College. He was also part of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity there. Later, in 1996, he graduated from the Hartford Seminary.

His Time in Government

Joseph Mann was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in November 2002. He officially started his job on January 8, 2003. He won his election against two other candidates.

While in the Connecticut House, he worked on several important committees. He was part of the Human Services Committee. He also served on the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. He was the Vice-Chair of the Select Committee on Housing. These committees help make decisions about important topics like helping people, education, and housing.

Other Ways He Served

Joseph Mann has also held several other public roles. He was a member of the Norwalk Democratic Town & City Committee. This group helps organize the Democratic Party in Norwalk.

He also served on the Second Taxing District Charter Revision Committee. He was a Commissioner and Vice Chair of the Second Taxing District Electric Commission. These roles show his dedication to serving his community.

Community Involvement

Beyond his government roles, Joseph Mann has been very active in his community. He has held many leadership positions in different organizations.

• He was the President and CEO of Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, Inc.
• He served on the Board of Trustees for the YMCA of Norwalk.
• He was a member of the Norwalk Hospital Board of Trustees.
• He was the Chair of the Norwalk Community Health Center Board of Trustees.
• He also served on the Board of Trustees for the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium.
• He is a Justice of the Peace.
• He is a member of the New Light Missionary Baptist Church.
• He was the Treasurer for the Norwalk Branch of the NAACP.
• He was the Keeper of Finance for the Alpha Nu Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

Awards and Recognition

Joseph Mann has received many awards for his hard work and service.

• He received the Distinguished Service and Superior Service Award from the Alpha Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
• He was named Omega Man of the Year in 2010.
• He got the Man of the Year Recognition from the G. W. Carver Youth Development Program.
• The Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance Center gave him an Award for Outstanding Advocacy.
• He was recognized for Outstanding Legislative Leadership by the Connecticut Community Providers Association.
• He received the Thurgood Marshall Community Service Award from Quinnipiac University's Black Law School Student's Association.
• The Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) gave him a Community Service Award.
• He received the Reverend J. P. Ball Award for Leadership from the Norwalk Branch of the NAACP.
• In both 2009 and 2011, he was named one of the 100 Most Influential Black people in Connecticut. This recognition came from the Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches.