Gabriel Acevero is a Trinidadian-American organizer, activist, and politician representing Maryland's 39th House District (Montgomery County). Born in San Fernando, Trinidad, he is the youngest of six children. His mother Ingrid worked as a government employee and labor activist, and his father Michael worked in insurance. The family relocated to Maryland in 2007. Acevero made history in 2018 as the first openly gay Afro-Latino elected to the Maryland General Assembly and one of the youngest members of the chamber. An organizer by trade, he is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and draws inspiration from pan-Africanist thinkers like C.L.R. James and Claudia Jones.
Serving
About
Family & Heritage
Born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, youngest of six children. Father Michael (Afro-Venezuelan heritage) worked in insurance; mother Ingrid (Afro-Trinidadian) was a government employee and labor activist. Raised in Couva, Trinidad, attended Richmond Street Boys Anglican School in Port-of-Spain. Family immigrated to Maryland in 2007. Started college at age 16 and graduated with his bachelor's degree at 20.
Political Career
Before Politics
Field Representative and Organizer for MCGEO (UFCW Local 1994 Municipal and County Government Employees Organization); Business Development Manager in commercial real estate in Baltimore; organized Maryland Fight for $15 campaign leading to Montgomery County minimum wage increase (2017); key organizer for Question 4 (Maryland Dream Act) and Question 6 (Marriage Equality) campaigns in 2012
Education
A.A. International Relations, Montgomery College; B.A. Political Science and Public Policy, University of Maryland Baltimore County (2011, age 20); M.P.A., Bowie State University
Key Issues & Priorities
Police accountability (authored Anton's Law for police transparency)
Immigrant rights (sponsor of Dignity Not Detention Act, anti-287(g) legislation)
Workers' rights (Fight for $15 organizer)
LGBTQ+ equality
Single-payer healthcare (Healthy Maryland Act)
Green New Deal and public power
Criminal justice reform (Exonerated 5 Act)