Phillip Reed is a dedicated public servant and educator who currently serves as Chief of Staff for the Urban League of Essex County Young Professionals (ULECYP). He brings a unique frontline comprehension of community needs, forged through years of hands-on service in public safety and education. From the classroom to the streets, Reed has built a career rooted in service to the community, leveraging both professional and civic experiences to emerge as a respected leader and changemaker. His blend of practical insight and visionary leadership makes him a powerful advocate for empowerment and progress.
Reed’s career began on the front lines of public safety. As a law enforcement officer in East Orange, New Jersey, serving as patrol officer and detective within the Enhanced Communty Safety Team and Criminal Investigations Division. He earned commendation for his investigative acumen – most notably in 2013, when he served as lead detective on a high-profile kidnapping case that resulted in the safe return of a three-month-old child . Shortly after in 2016, he was appointed as Detective Investigator for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office within the Nartcotics Task Force. Phillip now serves as a 5th year career fire fighter within the city of East Orange. This copious amount experience not only demonstrates his ability to make tough, informed decisions under pressure, but also deepens his understanding of the challenges facing urban communities.
Phillip Reed has even taken his passion for community engament and service to the corporate sector. As an Field Operations Manager for Docgo during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reed planned, established and oversaw the mass vaccination sites throughout the state of New Jersey; resulting in over 12,000 vaccines administered.
Transitioning from public safety to education, Phillip Reed continued to serve his community directly by working in local schools in both Paterson and East Orange. Aswell as fire fighting, Phillip currently serves as an educator in the East Orange school system, where he applies his leadership skills to shape young minds. Reed is an Ivy League-educated professional, from Cornell University . His strong academic background, combined with real-world experience, has honed his strategic thinking and project management skills . Colleagues and mentors describe Reed as a dynamic leader with a talent for communication and mentorship, qualities he brings into every classroom and boardroom. In his teaching role, he became known for going beyond the curriculum – mentoring students, fostering critical thinking, and encouraging civic awareness among youth. This dedication to professional development extends to his peers as well. Reed has led workshops and training sessions aimed at helping others grow; he ensures that those around him have access to mentorship, networking, and career advancement opportunities, cultivating the next generation of professionals and leaders. His own blend of frontline experience and educational expertise positions him as a role model who leads by example, always emphasizing growth, learning, and service.
