Omar Sabir—husband, father of seven, lifelong Philadelphian, and president of the City Commissioners—is a public servant who has devoted his career to tackling voter apathy and educating communities on the importance of civic engagement.
His work has been centered on “ensuring that all voices can be heard in our democracy,” he stated in an interview with El Sol Latino Newspaper, a publication that, together with its parent company Hispanic Media, will honor him as “People of the Year 2025” during The Pennsylvania Society’s annual event, recognizing his excellence and reaffirming his impact and commitment to public life in Philadelphia.
Sabir was elected in 2019 and sworn in as Philadelphia City Commissioner in 2020. In 2024, he assumed the presidency, a role in which he has focused on empowering all Philadelphians to participate actively in the electoral process, combating voter apathy, and educating communities about the importance of every vote.
Under his leadership, the Office of Elections has strengthened information and access programs for voters of all ages and backgrounds, reinforcing public confidence in democratic processes. He has also led the expansion and promotion of Philadelphia’s Satellite Election Offices (SEOs), established to ensure residents have access to all necessary voting resources.
Sabir: Educating and Mobilizing the Community
Before assuming his current role, Sabir served as senior advisor in the office of State Senator Vincent Hughes and held leadership positions at the Nathaniel Sabir Memorial Scholarship Fund, Citizens for State Representative Louise Williams Bishop, and the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania.
His career began as a union construction worker, an experience that gave him firsthand insight into the needs and challenges faced by working families and shaped his strong commitment to social and economic justice.
During his tenure, he has created several grassroots initiatives to boost civic participation. Among them is Humanitarian Heroes, a program that helped deliver 35,000 bottles of water to Jackson, Mississippi, in partnership with ShopRite and Nestlé.
He also founded the Octavius Catto Task Force, dedicated to highlighting the importance of voter registration, the impact of elections, and the fight against voter suppression. In 2024, he launched Platinum Voters, a program focused on supporting older voters through registration and election education, ensuring their voices are heard in every election.
Read also: Lozada, Burgos and Sabir: Tribute from Hispanic Media and El Sol Latino Newspaper
Sabir is also the founder of Vote Philly Vote, an initiative aimed at raising voter turnout to over 90% in all city elections. His work has been widely recognized; he has been named one of the most influential African Americans in the city and praised for his efforts to strengthen civic participation and local democracy.
A graduate of Cheyney University and the University of Pennsylvania’s DiverseForce On Boards program, Sabir combines academic preparation with deep community dedication.
His personal life as a husband and father motivates him to continue building a safer, more inclusive, and more engaged Philadelphia. Through his work, he demonstrates that civic engagement is not only a responsibility but also the most powerful tool to strengthen democracy and transform the city from the ground up—ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.
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