Joshua Malik Hall, of Hartford, graduated from Norfolk State University in Virginia with a degree in history education. After graduation Hall returned to Connecticut to become a history teacher at Weaver High School. He went on to receive a master’s degree in education leadership from Central Connecticut State University, and later became the first vice president of the Hartford Federation of Teachers. Hall has been awarded the Apple for a Teacher Award, the 100 Men of Color Honor, and was named as one of the CT NAACP 100 Most Influential Blacks.

Hall was first elected to represent District 7 in the Connecticut House of Representatives in a 2017 special election.