Phillipe Cunningham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Phillipe Cunningham
Member of the Minneapolis City Council from the 4th Ward
In office January 2, 2018 – January 3, 2022
Preceded by	Barb Johnson
Succeeded by	LaTrisha Vetaw
Personal details
Born	Streator, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Lane Cunningham ​ (m. 2015)​
Education	DePaul University (BA Claremont Lincoln University (MA)

Phillipe M. Cunningham is a former city council member who served the 4th Ward of Minneapolis. He made history as the first transgender man of color elected to public office in the United States. Cunningham was elected in 2017 and served until 2022.

Early Life and School

Phillipe Cunningham was born in Streator, Illinois. He lived there until he was 18 years old. His father worked as a tractor mechanic for over 40 years. His mother worked at a dry cleaner. Phillipe is their only child.

He went to DePaul University and earned a degree in Chinese studies. While at college, he began his journey as a transgender man. He was inspired by the life and work of Lou Sullivan.

Career and Public Service

Before entering politics, Cunningham worked as a special education teacher. He taught in Chicago Public Schools on the South Side of Chicago. He also served on the City of Minneapolis's Youth Violence Prevention Executive Committee. Later, he was a senior policy aide for former Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges.

Making History in Minneapolis

On November 7, 2017, Cunningham was elected as the city council member for Minneapolis Ward 4. This made him the first transgender man of color to be elected to public office in the United States. He won against Barb Johnson, who had held the position for 20 years. He won by a close margin of 175 votes.

In the 2021 election, Cunningham was not re-elected. LaTrisha Vetaw won the election. Ward 4 is in the northwestern part of Minneapolis. More than half of its residents are people of color or Indigenous.

Today, Cunningham is the U.S. Lead of Global Leadership Programs at the Obama Foundation.

Political Ideas

Phillipe Cunningham is a progressive Democrat. This means he believes in making society better through government action.

Public Safety

Cunningham believes in a public health approach to public safety. This means treating violence and crime like a health issue. After a tragic event involving George Floyd, he joined other council members. They wanted to change how public safety worked in Minneapolis.

Through the Safety for All Budget Plan, he helped get money for programs that prevent violence. One program helps people who have been hurt by violence in hospitals. The plan also started a program for first-time gun offenders. It also launched teams of unarmed social workers. These teams respond to mental health crisis calls.

In 2021, Cunningham and his colleagues used over $2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. This money helped fight serious crimes and exploitation. It also funded after-school programs and youth outreach. It supported programs to prevent group violence among young people.

Cunningham was a speaker at President Barack Obama's 2020 Town Hall. He spoke about his public health approach to safety. He also gave an update on Minneapolis after the events involving George Floyd.

Community Development

Cunningham led the planning for the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment project. This project was approved and is expected to cost $350 million. He also worked with Mayor Jacob Frey and state lawmakers. They secured $27.5 million for new infrastructure. This money also helped build a community performing arts center and amphitheater.

Housing Initiatives

Cunningham helped create and pass the Tenant Relocation Assistance ordinance. This rule requires landlords to pay three months' rent to tenants. This happens if tenants lose their housing because of landlord issues.

Personal Life

Phillipe Cunningham is Black and transgender. On July 10, 2015, he married Lane Cunningham. Lane is a software architect and small business owner. They met at Creating Change, a national conference for LGBTQ+ activists. They love rescuing animals that need special care.

Cunningham has been a vegan since 2016.

See also

• List of transgender public officeholders in the United States