ABU EDWARDS
Philadelphia
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at the City of Philadelphia, excelling in strategic leadership and community engagement. Spearheaded initiatives that boosted voter turnout by 150% among justice-impacted citizens. Expert in coalition building and public policy change, fostering partnerships to close the opportunity divide for Black males.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME) / Executive Director, Mayor’s Commission on African American Males (MCAAM)
City of Philadelphia
Philadelphia
03.2024 - Current
- Led one of three municipal Black Male Engagement offices nationwide in America’s fifth-largest city.
- Relaunched and managed a 30-member commission to address opportunity divides and develop policy recommendations for the Mayor.
- Oversaw departmental operations, budget planning, staff management, and coordination with over 15 city departments.
- Designed and implemented FY26–27 Strategic Plan aligned with Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s vision for a safer, cleaner, greener, and more prosperous city.
- Hosted over 30 engagement initiatives targeting reentry, education, fatherhood, and economic opportunities.
- Managed multi-layered teams, established accountability systems, and developed leadership pipelines across community partners and government stakeholders.
Founder & Principal
Millennials in Action PAC & LLC
01.2013 - Current
- Founded a millennial-led political engagement organization supporting young and judicial candidates.
- Designed youth voter education programs and leadership trainings.
- Built statewide coalitions advancing youth participation and representation.
Director, Justice-Impacted Voter Engagement Initiative
Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
04.2022 - 03.2024
- Led statewide and national coalitions expanding voting access for justice-impacted citizens.
- Increased voter turnout in Philadelphia’s correctional facilities by 150% during 2022 elections.
- Administered over $70,000 in grants to grassroots partners.
- Hosted educational panels, trained coalition leaders, and influenced passage of HB 1756.
- Developed large-scale engagement operations across Pennsylvania.
Director of Black Male Engagement – Pennsylvania
Biden-Harris Campaign
01.2020 - 12.2020
- Developed engagement infrastructure for Black men across Pennsylvania.
- Strengthened civic partnerships and voter turnout efforts through culturally relevant programming.
Director of State Affairs
Smart Approaches to Marijuana
07.2018 - 11.2020
- Managed operations across ten states, leading advocacy, coalition strategy, and government relations.
- Supervised consultants, lobbyists, and partners to influence data-driven public health policy.
- Designed and executed legislative briefings, press events, and bipartisan meetings.
- Served as national spokesperson and liaison to state officials and media.
Deputy Political Director – Pennsylvania
Michael Bloomberg for President
10.2019 - 03.2020
- Directed statewide outreach operations and surrogate engagement.
- Oversaw field staff and regional organizing efforts across diverse constituencies.
Political Director
Katie McGinty for Governor
01.2016 - 12.2016
- Managed statewide political relationships and coalition partnerships.
- Coordinated endorsement and outreach strategy across the Commonwealth.
Education
B.A. - Political Science
Wilberforce University
1055 N. Bickett Road01.2012
Skills
- Strategic leadership
- Interagency coordination
- Grant administration
- Advocacy strategies
- Coalition building
- Community engagement
- Problem solving
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Public speaking
- Project coordination
- Team collaboration
- Stakeholder engagement
- Public policy change
- Coalition management
- Team development
- Project management
- Cross-departmental coordination
- Community partnerships
- Reentry reform and justice initiatives
- Strategic planning
- Equity and inclusion
Websites
Select Initiatives And Impact
- Guns Down, Suits On: Rise & Restore Tour, Created a 10-district healing and reentry initiative.
- Brotherhood Empowerment Network, Launched school-based leadership academy for Black boys.
- Generational Empowerment NOW Summit, Hosted national summit linking youth to investors and policymakers.
Honors And Recognition
- Clarence L. Kinney 'Male Mentor of the Year' Award, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., 2025
- Recognized by Philadelphia City Council for civic leadership and community engagement excellence.
Timeline
Director, Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement (OBME) / Executive Director, Mayor’s Commission on African American Males (MCAAM)
City of Philadelphia
03.2024 - Current
Director, Justice-Impacted Voter Engagement Initiative
Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
04.2022 - 03.2024
Director of Black Male Engagement – Pennsylvania
Biden-Harris Campaign
01.2020 - 12.2020
Deputy Political Director – Pennsylvania
Michael Bloomberg for President
10.2019 - 03.2020
Director of State Affairs
Smart Approaches to Marijuana
07.2018 - 11.2020
Political Director
Katie McGinty for Governor
01.2016 - 12.2016
Founder & Principal
Millennials in Action PAC & LLC
01.2013 - Current
B.A. - Political Science
Wilberforce University