REP. JAHANA HAYES (D-CT)
Jahana Flemming Hayes (born March 8, 1973) is an American educator and politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Connecticut’s 5th congressional district since 2019. The district comprises much of northwestern Connecticut, including New Britain, Danbury and Waterbury. A member of the Democratic Party, Hayes is the first African-American woman and African-American Democrat to represent Connecticut in Congress. She was recognized as the National Teacher of the Year in 2016.
Hayes was born on March 8, 1973, in Waterbury, Connecticut, and grew up in public housing projects in that city. She earned an associate degree at Naugatuck Valley Community College and a bachelor’s degree at Southern Connecticut State University. In 2012, Hayes earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at the University of Saint Joseph. In 2014, she earned her Sixth-Year Certificate from the University of Bridgeport School of Education.
