Andrew Gillum
Encyclopedia
Andrew D. Gillum is a city commissioner in Tallahassee, Florida
, USA. At the age of 23, Gillum became the youngest person ever elected to the Tallahassee City Commission in February 2003.
as the fifth of seven children born to Charles and Frances Gillum. He graduated from Gainesville High School in 1998 and, during that year, was recognized by the Gainesville Sun as one of the city's "Persons of the Year." He then moved to Tallahassee to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). On May 24, 2009 he married R. Jai Howard; a fellow alumnae of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and member of Delta Sigma Theta
sorority.
, he addressed the Democratic National Convention
(DNC) on election violations in the State of Florida. Subsequently, he was instrumental in organizing the historic March on Tallahassee in protest of Governor Jeb Bush
's executive order to abolish Affirmative Action in state university admissions and state contracting. As a result of his advocacy efforts, the national Center for Policy Alternatives (Washington, DC) recognized him as the country's top student leader in 2001.
A graduate of College Leadership Florida, Class IV, Gillum was also very active in FAMU's Student Government Association (SGA), serving as a student senator his freshman and sophomore years, and as senate president his junior year. Then, his peers elected him as SGA President, serving from 2001-02. While in office, he opposed Jeb Bush's appearance as commencement speaker. He was appointed to the following boards and committees: first student member of the FAMU Board of Trustees; FAMU Presidential Search Committee; the State of Florida Higher Education Funding Advisory Board; and the Leon County
Civic Center Authority Board. His impact on the local community spread statewide when he accepted the position of Field Organizer with People For the American Way Foundation
(PFAWF), Tallahassee Office. In 2002, he organized and led the largest get-out-the-vote campaign - titled "Arrive With 5" - in Florida's history. In 2003, the Florida Democratic Party
recruited Gillum as its Deputy Political Director; but his passion for organizing get-out-the-vote campaigns led him back to PFAWF as the statewide Director of the "Arrive With 5" program.
(FAMU), majoring in political science. In August 2004, Commissioner Gillum was re-elected by the citizens of Tallahassee, to serve for a full four-year term as one of four on the Tallahassee City Commission.
November 2004 garnered him increased prominence in civic leadership responsibilities. Gillum served in the one-year term as Mayor Pro Tem (November 10, 2004 through November 9, 2005). Additionally, the joint body of City and County Commissioners, known as the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency, elected him to serve as their chairperson for a year (January, 2005 through December, 2005).
He has promoted improved bus service as a way of making more friendly to university students.
Foundation, Gillum spearheads a program that seeks to unite elected officials age 35 and under in a network which supports them with leadership and personal development training and public policy support. Gillum was instrumental in inaugurating this PFAWF project initiative in January 2006. With Gillum at the helm, in May 2006, the program evolved into a national network that links young elected officials across the country and helps identify solutions to the challenges facing our communities and states.
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
, USA. At the age of 23, Gillum became the youngest person ever elected to the Tallahassee City Commission in February 2003.
Background
Gillum was raised in Gainesville, FloridaGainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
as the fifth of seven children born to Charles and Frances Gillum. He graduated from Gainesville High School in 1998 and, during that year, was recognized by the Gainesville Sun as one of the city's "Persons of the Year." He then moved to Tallahassee to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). On May 24, 2009 he married R. Jai Howard; a fellow alumnae of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and member of Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Sigma Theta is a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University...
sorority.
Early Political Activity
From the time he set foot on campus, Gillum became a champion for many issues. Following the 2000 Presidential election2000 presidential election
The 2000 presidential election may refer to:* Croatian presidential elections, 2000* Federal Republic of Yugoslavia presidential election, 2000* Fijian presidential election, 2000* Ghanaian presidential election, 2000* Polish presidential election, 2000...
, he addressed the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
(DNC) on election violations in the State of Florida. Subsequently, he was instrumental in organizing the historic March on Tallahassee in protest of Governor Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush
John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W...
's executive order to abolish Affirmative Action in state university admissions and state contracting. As a result of his advocacy efforts, the national Center for Policy Alternatives (Washington, DC) recognized him as the country's top student leader in 2001.
A graduate of College Leadership Florida, Class IV, Gillum was also very active in FAMU's Student Government Association (SGA), serving as a student senator his freshman and sophomore years, and as senate president his junior year. Then, his peers elected him as SGA President, serving from 2001-02. While in office, he opposed Jeb Bush's appearance as commencement speaker. He was appointed to the following boards and committees: first student member of the FAMU Board of Trustees; FAMU Presidential Search Committee; the State of Florida Higher Education Funding Advisory Board; and the Leon County
Leon County, Florida
Leon County is a county located in the state of Florida, named after the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León. At the 2010 Census, the population was 275,487. The county seat of Leon County is Tallahassee which also serves as the state capital. The county seat is home to two of Florida's major...
Civic Center Authority Board. His impact on the local community spread statewide when he accepted the position of Field Organizer with People For the American Way Foundation
People for the American Way Foundation
People For the American Way Foundation is the charitable arm of People For the American Way , a progressive advocacy organization in the United States...
(PFAWF), Tallahassee Office. In 2002, he organized and led the largest get-out-the-vote campaign - titled "Arrive With 5" - in Florida's history. In 2003, the Florida Democratic Party
Florida Democratic Party
The Florida Democratic Party is the official organization for Democrats in the state of Florida.-History:The Florida Democratic Party has historically dominated dodo Florida's state and local politics. Florida's Governor's Mansion was closed to Republicans from 1877 until 1967, when Claude R...
recruited Gillum as its Deputy Political Director; but his passion for organizing get-out-the-vote campaigns led him back to PFAWF as the statewide Director of the "Arrive With 5" program.
Political career
At the time of the 2003 election, Gillum was a student at Florida A&M UniversityFlorida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
(FAMU), majoring in political science. In August 2004, Commissioner Gillum was re-elected by the citizens of Tallahassee, to serve for a full four-year term as one of four on the Tallahassee City Commission.
November 2004 garnered him increased prominence in civic leadership responsibilities. Gillum served in the one-year term as Mayor Pro Tem (November 10, 2004 through November 9, 2005). Additionally, the joint body of City and County Commissioners, known as the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency, elected him to serve as their chairperson for a year (January, 2005 through December, 2005).
He has promoted improved bus service as a way of making more friendly to university students.
Professional career
As National Director of the Young Elected Officials Network with People For the American WayPeople For the American Way
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy group in the United States. Under U.S. tax code, People For the American Way is organized as a tax-exempt 501 non-profit organization.-Purpose:...
Foundation, Gillum spearheads a program that seeks to unite elected officials age 35 and under in a network which supports them with leadership and personal development training and public policy support. Gillum was instrumental in inaugurating this PFAWF project initiative in January 2006. With Gillum at the helm, in May 2006, the program evolved into a national network that links young elected officials across the country and helps identify solutions to the challenges facing our communities and states.
Community involvement
Gillum serves on the Board of Directors of the Black Youth Vote Coalition, a program of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (Washington, DC); is a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and a member of the Community of Faith Church. Other board/committee memberships includes but are not limited to the following:- Boards and Committees - City Government
- Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency - Chair for 2005
- Economic Development Council
- Florida League of Cities
- Cultural Resources Commission Ways and Means Committee
- Boards and Committees - Community
- Big Bend 2006 Heart Walk - Executive Committee Member
- Big Bend Community Based Care - Board of Directors
- Mary Brogan Museum - Board of Directors
- Keep Tallahassee-Leon County Beautiful - Board of Directors
- Kids Inc. - Board of Directors
- Whole Child Leon Leadership Council - Board of Directors
- Riley House Board of Directors Ex Officio Member
- Tiger Bay Club - Member
- Capital City Chamber - Member
- Leadership Tallahassee Class XXII - Member
- Capital City Child Care Consortium - Member