Anthony Phillips (politician)

Anthony Phillips is a Democratic member of Philadelphia's City Council, representing the 9th District.
==Early life==
Anthony Phillips was born in North Philadelphia, where he was raised by his mother, a civil servant at the Department of Human Services, and his grandmother, a maid and former sharecropper from South Carolina. When Anthony was eight, his family moved from Nicetown to Mount Airy, a move Phillips attributed to a search for safety and quality schools.
Phillips attended La Salle College High School. Phillips credits his mother working a night job at Walmart for funding his and his sisters' tuition.
In 2003, Phillips attended a summit on Black youth leadership in Washington, D.C. As part of this summit, 14-year-old Phillips and other Philadelphia students co-founded Youth Action, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit. Though the organization initially focused on addressing teenage pregnancy, its scope expanded to "youth empowerment" more broadly with the mission of "helping young people access affordable college education and livable-wage jobs" according to Phillips.
Youth Action is still operating today with Phillips serving as executive director. In 2021, the organization had $40,000 in contributions and $196,000 in net assets.
==Education==
Anthony Phillips studied African American studies at Bates College and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2010. While earning his degree, he studied at Morehouse College as a visiting student. After graduating, he went on to earn a master's degree in Black religion from Yale University.
He is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he is researching the Black church in Philadelphia.
==Early political career==
Throughout Phillips's two decade involvement in Philadelphia political and civic life, his relationship with Cherelle Parker has been a common theme. The two met when Phillips was in high school and Parker spoke at an event organized by Youth Action. While Parker was serving as a state representative, Phillips was an intern in her office. Later on in 2018, Phillips became a committeeperson in Philadelphia's 50th Ward after Parker, ward leader and city council member at the time, called him about an opening.
==City Council==
On September 7th, 2022, Cherelle Parker resigned from her 9th District City Council seat to run for mayor, leaving her seat open. Parker approached Phillips about running to replace her. Though initially responding to the idea with resistance, Phillips ultimately agreed and Parker began to work with ward leaders to advocate for him. With Parker's support, Phillips was chosen by the city's Democratic ward leaders and made the ballot for the November 8th special election. Phillips won the election with 88 percent of the vote and assumed office on November 28th.
===Committee assignments===
As of July 2023:
* Children and Youth (chair)
* Education
* Intergenerational Affairs and Aging
* Labor and Civil Service
* Law and Government
* Legislative Oversight
* Technology and Information Services
* Transportation and Public Utilities
===First term===
In his first year in office, Phillips has introduced or sponsored legislation including restrictions on street parking for semi-trucks and other large vehicles, and a controversial ski mask ban.
===Reelection===
Shortly after taking office, Phillips began to campaign for the 2023 primary election, seeking to be the Democratic nominee in the 2024 election and keep his current seat. Of the four candidates who filed nominating petitions, three made the ballot: Anthony Phillips, James Williams, and Yvette Young. Phillips won with 63 percent of the vote and will be on the ballot for reelection in 2024 as the Democratic Party's candidate for the 9th District of the Philadelphia City Council.
Category:People from Philadelphia
Category:Yale University alumni
Category:University of Massachusetts Amherst alumni
Category:Politicians