About GRACE

I’m Grace Valentine Teodosio, born and raised in Hamden and a proud product of Hamden public schools. I am a working mom who has chosen to raise my family here because I love Hamden and believe in this community’s potential.

Professionally, I’m a strategic consumer insights and brand development leader with extensive experience driving data-backed solutions for Fortune 100 companies. I excel at connecting diverse stakeholders, uncovering actionable insights, and building systems that foster transparency and accountability.

As founder of Hamden Residents Unite, a grassroots community activism group, I bring my skills and passion together to advocate for smarter, more equitable local governance. This budget season, my advocacy helped drive significant tax relief for Hamden residents.

My goal is to bring clarity, collaboration, and effective problem-solving to the Hamden Legislative Council and help build a stronger, fairer town for all residents.

Boards, Volunteer Work, & Political Engagement

  • 2025: Founder, Hamden Residents Unite, Leading Bipartisan Community Initiatives

  • 2023-Present: Mentor, W.I.S.E (Women in Store Brands Excellence)

  • 2023-Present: Communications Committee Member, Design, WISE (Women in Store Brands Excellence)

  • 2021-2022: Communications Committee Member, Corporate Black & African American Diversified Network

  • 2018 – 2019: Music Committee Chair, Milford Arts Council, Milford, CT

  • 2017: Communications Board, Coginchaug Valley Education Foundation, Durham, CT

  • 2009-2010: Communications Chair; Pan-Hellenic Counsel Delegate, Alpha Sigma Alpha

  • 2008-2010: Member; Voter Registration Outreach, Moravian University Student Democrats

  • 2008-2010: Vice President, Moravian University United Student Government

  • 2008-2009: Senator & Environmental Stewardship Committee Chair, Moravian University United Student Government

Education

  • 2017: Certificate, Digital Marketing, Duke University

  • 2006-2010: B.A., Sociology; Minor in Africana Studies, Moravian University

I started Hamden Residents Unite in mid-March when I realized my taxes were about to spike. Since then, I’ve grown a bipartisan Facebook group to nearly 2,000 members and led 50 volunteers in handing out 5,000 flyers around town. I’ve spent countless hours talking with residents, hearing how the tax increase and other local issues affect their lives. I rallied people to show up at council meetings—in person and online—and hundreds tuned in to follow the budget process. I also organized a rally that garnered media attention before the council unanimously overturned the mayor’s veto on a budget that offered tax relief.

I’ve researched and written numerous fact-based articles on Substack, complete with links to public documents, attracting an average of 16,000 views monthly. To further inform residents, I built WeAreHamden.com as a hub for updates on the tax increase, council contacts, and the upcoming mayoral election. With an ever-growing email list, I’ve educated and energized hundreds of residents, empowering them to actively engage in the budget process.

I proved that meaningful action is possible without holding office, but using my skills and passion to have a vote at the table felt like the natural next step.

Pictured above: Shon Howard, Kathy Muolo, Yvonne Jones, and Chris Schurk.