{{Short description|Former Minneapolis city council member}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Phillipe Cunningham | image = Phillipe Cunningham, Minneapolis City Council Member (cropped).jpg | office = Member of the Minneapolis City Council<br>from the 4th Ward | term_start = January 2, 2018 | term_end = January 3, 2022 | predecessor = Barb Johnson | successor = LaTrisha Vetaw | birth_date = | birth_place = Streator, Illinois, U.S. | party = Democratic | spouse = {{marriage|Lane Cunningham|2015}} | education = DePaul University (BA Claremont Lincoln University (MA) | caption = Cunningham in 2018 }}
'''Phillipe M. Cunningham''' is a former city council member for Minneapolis Ward 4 and was the first transgender man of color to be elected to public office in the United States.<ref name=WashingtonBlade>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/11/08/phillipe-cunningham-first-trans-man-elected-u-s-public-office/ |title=Phillipe Cunningham makes history as Minnesota trans male candidate |last=Johnson |first=Chris |date=November 8, 2017 |publisher=Washington Blade |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=October 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003135637/http://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/11/08/phillipe-cunningham-first-trans-man-elected-u-s-public-office/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Moini2017">{{cite web |last=Moini |first=Nina |url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/11/09/phillipe-cunningham-north-minneapolis/ |title=Phillipe Cunningham Focused On Lifting 'Everybody Up In The Community' |website=WCCO-TV |date=November 9, 2017 |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054402/http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/11/09/phillipe-cunningham-north-minneapolis/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Vice">{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/andrea-jenkins-on-her-remarkable-year-making-and-preserving-trans-history/ |title=Andrea Jenkins on Her Remarkable Year Making and Preserving Trans History |publisher=Broadly |last=Burns |first=Katelyn |date=December 18, 2017 |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228171533/https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/gywbwm/andrea-jenkins-on-her-remarkable-year-making-and-preserving-trans-history |url-status=live }}</ref> Cunningham won the council position in the 2017 Minneapolis City Council election and lost it in the 2021 election.
==Early life and education== Cunningham was born in Streator, Illinois, where he lived until he was 18.<ref name=TretterInterview>{{cite web |url=https://umedia.lib.umn.edu/sites/default/files/archive/60/application/pdf/1291255.pdf |title=Interview with Phillipe Cunningham |author=Andrea Jenkins |author-link=Andrea Jenkins |work=The Transgender Oral History Project |publisher=Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies |date=September 25, 2015 |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227211125/https://umedia.lib.umn.edu/sites/default/files/archive/60/application/pdf/1291255.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> His father worked as a unionized tractor mechanic/builder for more than forty years, while his mother was a dry cleaner employee; he is their only child.<ref name= MPRNEWS>{{cite web |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/02/25/changemakers-phillipe-cunningham |title=ChangeMakers: Phillipe Cunningham |author=Christine T. Nguyen |date=February 25, 2019 |access-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117191654/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/02/25/changemakers-phillipe-cunningham |url-status=live }}</ref> He graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese studies.<ref name=TretterInterview /> He transitioned during his junior year at DePaul,<ref name=TretterInterview /> inspired by the life and work of Lou Sullivan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mprnextgenfellows.org/phillipe-cunningham-finds-success-and-respect-as-a-transgender-man/ |title=Phillipe Cunningham finds success and respect as a transgender man |author=Cai Thomas |work=Next Generation Radio - MPR News |date=September 22, 2016 |publisher=Minnesota Public Radio |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214134006/http://www.mprnextgenfellows.org/phillipe-cunningham-finds-success-and-respect-as-a-transgender-man/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Career== In his early career, Cunningham worked as a special education teacher in Chicago Public Schools on the South Side of Chicago.<ref name=StrangeFruit /> Prior to his election to public office, Cunningham served on the City of Minneapolis's Youth Violence Prevention Executive Committee and as a senior policy aide for former Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges.<ref name=MPR>{{cite web |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/02/25/changemakers-phillipe-cunningham |title=ChangeMakers: Phillipe Cunningham, choice to be Minnesotan 'the best' |date=February 25, 2019 |accessdate=March 20, 2022 |archive-date=November 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117191654/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/02/25/changemakers-phillipe-cunningham |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 7, 2017, Cunningham was elected as the city council member for Minneapolis Ward 4, becoming the first transgender man of color to be elected to public office in the United States.<ref name=WashingtonBlade/><ref name="Moini2017" /><ref name="Vice" /> Cunningham won over 20-year incumbent Barb Johnson by 175 votes.<ref name=WCCO>{{cite web |url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/11/08/phillippe-cunningham-wins-ward-4/ |title=Phillipe Cunningham Wins Ward 4, Now 2 Transgender Members Of Minneapolis City Council |date=November 8, 2017 |website=WCCO-TV |accessdate=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054410/http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/11/08/phillippe-cunningham-wins-ward-4/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=StrangeFruit>{{cite web |url=http://wfpl.org/strange-fruit-black-queer-bodies-are-not-for-white-consumption/ |title=Strange Fruit: Black Queer Bodies Are Not For White Consumption |last=Ellis |first=Laura |website=Strange Fruit |publisher=WFPL |date=December 16, 2017 |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227202719/http://wfpl.org/strange-fruit-black-queer-bodies-are-not-for-white-consumption/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/11/08/minneapolis-elects-transgender-candidates-to-city-council |title=Transgender candidates win Mpls. City Council seats, make history |last=Collins |first=Jon |date=November 8, 2017 |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223011827/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/11/08/minneapolis-elects-transgender-candidates-to-city-council |url-status=live }}</ref> He was defeated on November 2, 2021, in the 2021 Minneapolis City Council election by LaTrisha Vetaw by a 61% to 30% vote.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Index - Election Results|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=142&scenario=LocalMunicipality&FipsCode=43000&show=Go|access-date=2022-02-23|website=electionresults.sos.state.mn.us|archive-date=2022-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209145323/https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=142&scenario=LocalMunicipality&FipsCode=43000&show=Go|url-status=live}}</ref> Ward 4 is the northwestern most ward in Minneapolis, and people of color and indigenous residents comprise 57 percent of the population.<ref name="Michael Kleber-Diggs" />
Cunningham is currently the U.S. Lead of Global Leadership Programs at the Obama Foundation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thegrio.com/2023/08/11/obama-foundation-announces-inaugural-class-of-leaders-usa-program/ |title=Obama Foundation announces inaugural class of Leaders USA program |last=Gaynor |first=Gerren |date=2023-08-31 |access-date=2023-08-14 |archive-date=2023-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813151726/https://thegrio.com/2023/08/11/obama-foundation-announces-inaugural-class-of-leaders-usa-program/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Political views==
Cunningham is a progressive Democrat.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gustavo |first1=Solomon |title=Five takeaways from the Minneapolis DFL's City Council endorsement process |url=https://www.minnpost.com/media/2021/06/five-takeaways-from-the-minneapolis-dfls-city-council-endorsement-process/ |agency=MinnPost |date=2021-06-11 |access-date=2022-02-16 |archive-date=2022-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216204455/https://www.minnpost.com/media/2021/06/five-takeaways-from-the-minneapolis-dfls-city-council-endorsement-process/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Public safety===
Cunningham advocates for the public health approach to public safety. After the murder of George Floyd, he joined a group of nine city council members who vowed to end the Minneapolis Police Department and create a new model for safety.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Navratil |first1=Liz |title=Most of Minneapolis City Council pledges to 'begin the process of ending' Police Department |url=https://www.startribune.com/mpls-council-majority-backs-dismantling-police-department/571088302/ |date=June 8, 2020 |access-date=25 February 2022 |work=Star Tribune |archive-date=29 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229145628/https://www.startribune.com/mpls-council-majority-backs-dismantling-police-department/571088302/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Through the Safety for All Budget Plan, he secured permanent funding for violence prevention strategies like Next Step hospital-based bedside violence intervention.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Littlefield |first1=Susan-Elizabeth |title='Next Step' Program Aims To Help Gun Violence Victims Avoid Retaliation |url=https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/11/17/next-step-program-aims-to-help-gun-violence-victims-avoid-retaliation/ |access-date=16 February 2022 |agency=WCCO |date=2020-11-17 |archive-date=2022-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216204457/https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/11/17/next-step-program-aims-to-help-gun-violence-victims-avoid-retaliation/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Safety for All Budget Plan also institutionalized a new national model of a first-time gun offender diversion program, as well as launched the City of Minneapolis Behavioral Crisis Intervention Teams, unarmed social workers to respond to appropriate mental health crisis calls.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wiese |first1=Charlie |title=Minneapolis city councilmembers propose 'Safety for All' budget plan to revamp city's public safety system |url=https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/minneapolis-city-councilmembers-propose-safety-for-all-budget-plan-to-revamp-citys-public-safety-system/ |access-date=16 February 2022 |agency=ABC5 Channel News |date=2020-11-27 |archive-date=2022-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216204456/https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/minneapolis-city-councilmembers-propose-safety-for-all-budget-plan-to-revamp-citys-public-safety-system/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2021, Cunningham and colleagues allocated over $2M granted to Minneapolis from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-11|title=H.R.1319 - American Rescue Plan Act of 2021|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319/text|access-date=2022-03-07|website=Congress.gov|language=en-US|archive-date=2022-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307173752/https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319/text|url-status=live}}</ref> toward combatting human trafficking and sexual exploitation, adding after school programs and youth outreach, and group violence intervention programming for youth.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gustavo|first1=Solomon|title=The Minneapolis Council is set to approve plans for distributing the first chunk of the city's ARP funds. Here's where the money is going.|url=https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2021/07/the-minneapolis-council-is-set-to-approve-plans-for-distributing-the-first-chunk-of-the-citys-arp-funds-heres-where-the-money-is-going/|access-date=2022-03-07|agency=MinnPost|date=2021-07-01|archive-date=2022-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307191636/https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2021/07/the-minneapolis-council-is-set-to-approve-plans-for-distributing-the-first-chunk-of-the-citys-arp-funds-heres-where-the-money-is-going/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Cunningham was a panelist on President Barack Obama's 2020 Town Hall on Racial Justice and Policing on June 3, 2020 where he spoke about the public health approach to public safety and gave an update on Minneapolis in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis Police Department officers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Former President Obama Holds Town Hall on Racial Justice & Police Reform |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?472749-1%2Ftown-hall-president-obama-racial-justice-police-reform |website=C-SPAN |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216215424/https://www.c-span.org/video/?472749-1%2Ftown-hall-president-obama-racial-justice-police-reform |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Community development===
Cunningham led the planning process for the projected $350 million Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment project which was approved.<ref>{{cite web |title=City Council Approves Upper Harbor Coordinated Plan |url=https://www.minneapolismn.gov/news/2021/october/city-council-approves-upper-harbor-coordinated-plan/ |website=City of Minneapolis News |publisher=City of Minneapolis |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216204457/https://www.minneapolismn.gov/news/2021/october/city-council-approves-upper-harbor-coordinated-plan/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He also collaborated with Mayor Jacob Frey and state legislators to bring $27.5 million in state bonding investment for infrastructure redevelopment and development of a community performing arts center and amphitheater at the Upper Harbor Terminal site.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gustavo |first1=Solomon |title=Supporters of Minneapolis' plan for the Upper Harbor Terminal say it will bring real change to the northside. Some who live there remain unconvinced. |url=https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2021/01/supporters-of-minneapolis-plan-for-the-upper-harbor-terminal-say-it-will-bring-real-change-to-the-northside-some-who-live-there-remain-unconvinced/#:~:text=The%20proposal%20%E2%80%94%20which%20was%20granted,spaces%20and%20a%20towering%20outdoor |access-date=16 February 2022 |agency=MinnPost |date=2021-01-21 |archive-date=2022-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217010536/https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2021/01/supporters-of-minneapolis-plan-for-the-upper-harbor-terminal-say-it-will-bring-real-change-to-the-northside-some-who-live-there-remain-unconvinced/#:~:text=The%20proposal%20%E2%80%94%20which%20was%20granted,spaces%20and%20a%20towering%20outdoor |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Housing===
Cunningham led the creation, passage, and implementation of the Tenant Relocation Assistance ordinance, which requires landlords to provide 3 months rent to their tenants, if they lose their housing due to landlord negligence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Marissa |title=Minneapolis City Council passes tenant relocation assistance ordinance |url=https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-city-council-passes-tenant-relocation-assistance-ordinance/566892842 |access-date=16 February 2022 |publisher=Star Tribune |date=January 10, 2020 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216215422/https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-city-council-passes-tenant-relocation-assistance-ordinance/566892842/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In November 2018, Cunningham drew attention for a post on Twitter for characterizing the concerns of opponents of the "Minneapolis 2040" plan as merely seeking to protect their "bungalow neighborhoods".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tribune|first=Kim Palmer Star|title=Are Twin Cities bungalow homes an endangered species?|url=https://www.startribune.com/are-twin-cities-bungalow-homes-an-endangered-species/511308142/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Star Tribune|date=17 June 2019 |archive-date=2020-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702065829/https://www.startribune.com/are-twin-cities-bungalow-homes-an-endangered-species/511308142/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Cunningham is Black, queer, and transgender.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/transgender-candidates-for-mpls-city-council-seek-a-voice-at-the-table/412794853/|title=Transgender candidates for Mpls. City Council seek a voice at the table|last=Belz|first=Adam|date=February 4, 2017|work=Star Tribune|access-date=December 27, 2017|archive-date=February 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209203726/http://www.startribune.com/transgender-candidates-for-mpls-city-council-seek-a-voice-at-the-table/412794853/|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 10, 2015, soon after same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide, Cunningham married Lane Cunningham, a software architect and small business owner.<ref name="Michael Kleber-Diggs">{{cite web |url= https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/a-seat-at-the-table-phillipe-cunninghams-vision-for-youth-and-building-community-wealth-for-ward-4 |title= A Seat at the Table: Phillipe Cunningham's vision for youth and building community wealth for Ward 4 |author= Michael Kleber-Diggs |date= February 23, 2017 |access-date= November 15, 2019 |archive-date= November 17, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191117191656/https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/a-seat-at-the-table-phillipe-cunninghams-vision-for-youth-and-building-community-wealth-for-ward-4/ |url-status= live }}</ref> They met at Creating Change, an annual national conference for LGBTQ+ activists held by the National LGBTQ Task Force.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview with Phillipe Cunningham |url=https://umedia.lib.umn.edu/item/p16022coll97:3 |access-date=2022-02-24 |archive-date=2022-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217205454/https://umedia.lib.umn.edu/item/p16022coll97:3 |url-status=dead }}</ref> They are passionate about rescuing hard to rehabilitate animals.
Cunningham has been a vegan since 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Phillipe |url=https://cunninghammpls.org/meet-phillipe |website=Cunningham for City Council |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216220212/https://cunninghammpls.org/meet-phillipe |url-status=live }}</ref>
== See also ==
* List of transgender public officeholders in the United States
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == * [https://www.cunninghammpls.org/ Phillipe Cunningham, City Council Ward 4] * {{Ballotpedia|Phillipe_Cunningham|Phillipe Cunningham}} * [https://twitter.com/cunninghammpls Cunningham on Twitter] {{Minneapolis City Council}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cunningham, Philippe}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:African-American city council members in Minnesota Category:DePaul University alumni Category:American LGBTQ city council members Category:African-American LGBTQ people Category:LGBTQ people from Illinois Category:LGBTQ people from Minnesota Category:Mills College alumni Category:Minneapolis City Council members Category:American queer men Category:American transgender men Category:Transgender male politicians Category:21st-century Minnesota politicians Category:21st-century African-American politicians Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people Category:American transgender politicians