House Member

Arizona State Representative Reginald Bolding is an educator, community leader and social entrepreneur. Bolding, a first generation college student, is an outstanding scholar in both education and justice studies. After graduating at the top of his class from the University of Cincinnati, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and International Security, Bolding turned down a full ride-law school scholarship to become a Special Education teacher in South Phoenix to teach underserved youth.

Growing up in an underserved neighborhood himself, Bolding understood firsthand the obstacles and barriers faced by youth and families in these communities and wanted to help create change. He launched a non-profit organization to provide students from low-income communities access to internships and workforce development training at top companies and organizations in Arizona.

Representative Bolding was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2014, followed by his re-election in 2016. Bolding serves as the ranking member on the Arizona House Education Committee and also sits on the Ways & Means Committee. Bolding has established himself as one of the most respected legislators in the chamber working to help pass legislation focused on education, business, criminal justice and civil rights issues. Bolding has been a leading advocate fighting for issues directly impacting Arizona communities. Representative Bolding helped launch an initiative to provide veterans an opportunity and pathway to serve as teachers in Arizona classrooms. Additionally, he was named with the "2017 Legislative Leadership" award by the Arizona Community Action Association for his role in helping to protect vulnerable Arizonans from the pay day loan industry's expansion in the state.

Nationally, Bolding is Vice Chair of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (Western Region). He is also the Chair of the Arizona Black Legislative Caucus. Moreover, Bolding is the Founder & Board Chairman of the Arizona Coalition for Change, a community engagement organization focused on increasing civic engagement throughout the state.

Representative Bolding has been named to the Phoenix Business Journal's 40 under 40 list, the Arizona Republic listed him as "one of 13 individuals poised to change Arizona", and he has also been named as a "Champion of Education" by the Arizona School Administrators Association. Bolding sits on the board of directors for the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Leading For Change, and The State of Black Arizona. Bolding lives in Phoenix with his wife Cymone and their daughter Faith.