UConn School of Social Work alumnus Pedro E. Segarra MSW ’82, JD ’85 was sworn in as the City of Hartford’s 66th Mayor. An inaugural gala was held on January 21st, but with a twist. The sellout “ball for all” attracted more than 900 guests and proceeds from the ticket sales benefitted Segarra’s Hartford Humanties Fund, Inc., a charitable organization that will help nonprofits and charities in Hartford.
Segarra’s personal experience with poverty, discrimination and overcoming adversity has shaped his vision for Hartford – to bring people of all ethnicities, faiths and socioeconomic backgrounds together to create meaningful change. Pedro is proud that voters supported an openly gay, Hispanic man for mayor. His spouse, Charlie Ortiz is also an alum receiving his MSW in 2010.
With community activism, social work, law and public service in his background, Pedro is keenly aware of the issues facing the City with regard to education, public safety and the need for sustainable jobs. He is working with corporate, community and philanthropic partners to develop innovative solutions to these problems. His mission over the next four years is to aggressively build on the City’s education reform foundation; to implement strategies that strengthen community-police relationships and reduce crime; and to improve the vitality of City’s neighborhoods and increase job opportunities.