City/Town of Residence
Brooklyn
Current Political Office (if applicable)
N/A
Education
Khari Edwards attended St. Mark’s Day School ultimately graduating from Midwood High School and earning a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies from Thomas Edison State University
Experience and Qualifications
Khari Edwards has spent over 25 years working with elected officials, non-profits, and city agencies to reduce racial, health, and civic disparities. As Head of Corporate Responsibility at Ayr Wellness, he leads efforts to promote inclusivity and opportunities in the cannabis industry. Previously, he was Vice President of External Affairs at Brookdale Hospital for eight years, driving initiatives that built community trust and improved healthcare access for over 1.3 million residents.
Community Involvement
Khari’s passion for service shines through his projects. He founded “It Starts Here,” connecting students with gun violence survivors and mobilizing hundreds to tackle disparities in East Brooklyn. As Brooklyn Council President for Make-A-Wish NY and a member of several boards, Khari is dedicated to improving education and community welfare.
Party Affiliation
Democratic
Key Endorsements
DC 37 AFSCME AFL-CIO, NYC Laborers 924, Shirley Chisholm Democratic Club, Southern Brooklyn Democrats, Unified Political Association, Assembly Member Latrice Walker, Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman,
Campaign Telephone Number
7189389581
Campaign Office Address
218 20th St, #2
CampaignWebsite
https://www.khariedwards2025.com/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/khariedwardsnyc/
The top three issues facing Brooklyn are affordable housing, access to quality healthcare, and educational equity. The housing crisis is putting pressure on families - rents are rising, and too many of our neighbors worry about being priced out of their own communities. We need more truly affordable units and stronger protections for tenants. Healthcare disparities persist, especially in underserved neighborhoods, making it harder for families to access the care that they need to thrive. Our schools face overcrowding and underfunding, which widens gaps in opportunity for our kids and limits their future success. As a lifelong Brooklynite, I know we can tackle these challenges by working together, fighting for smart development, investing in our health system, and ensuring every child has access to a great education.
Via practical, community-driven solutions:
Housing: I support affordable and supportive housing (e.g.: transforming vacant lots into new homes with essential services). These projects provide safe, stable housing while protecting tenants and ensuring long-term affordability for families in need. We must continue advancing similar developments to address Brooklyn’s housing crisis.
Healthcare: I would expand partnerships with local hospitals, community groups, and programs (eg: Vital Brooklyn) to boost access to primary care, preventive services, and health education. New clinics and culturally competent care investment will help close health gaps in underserved Brooklyn communities.
Education: Targeted investments in schools facing the greatest challenges-smaller class sizes, mental health support, food equity, and after-school programs. Partnering with families and community groups to equitably distribute resources helps ensure every Brooklyn student has a chance to succeed.
In my first 100 days, my top three priorities will be affordable housing, food equality, and healthcare access. First, I will push for real affordable housing by advocating for developments that start at a true Brooklyn median income, not inflated federal numbers, so working families and longtime residents aren’t priced out of their neighborhoods. Second, I’ll make food equality a borough-wide focus-too many Brooklynites go to bed hungry, and food deserts persist in places like Brownsville and East New York. I’ll work to expand fresh food distribution, support local pantries, and bring healthy, affordable options to every community. Third, I’ll fight for better healthcare access by supporting our safety-net hospitals, expanding preventive care, and ensuring every neighborhood has the resources it needs to thrive. My goal is to make sure every Brooklynite feels seen, supported, and has a fair shot at a healthy, dignified life.
My most ambitious goal is to create a truly equitable Brooklyn where every community-whether Brownsville, East New York, or Park Slope-feels seen, supported, and invested in. I want to close the growing wealth and resource gaps by leveraging the Borough President’s capital budget to rebuild our neighborhoods with affordable housing, quality healthcare, food equality, and strong schools. This means transforming vacant lots into homes, expanding access to fresh food, and ensuring our safety-net hospitals and schools get the funding they deserve. I envision a Brooklyn where opportunity isn’t determined by zip code but by our shared commitment to equity, inclusion, and engagement. This holistic approach will rebuild community trust, empower small businesses, support immigrant families, and protect our environment-creating a borough that works for everyone.
The biggest impediments to achieving true equity in Brooklyn-in noted areas-are rooted in policy, resources, and community dynamics. Many projects get stuck over building height or density, and “affordable” units are often priced above what working families can pay, since affordability is tied to federal Area Median Income, not Brooklyn’s reality.
A lack of sustained funding for new construction and preservation puts thousands of existing affordable homes at risk as costs rise and buildings age. For food equality, persistent food deserts and limited access to fresh groceries in places like Brownsville and East New York are compounded by insufficient investment and logistical hurdles.
The scale of need is overwhelming. Millions apply for a handful of affordable units, and essential services, like food and healthcare are unevenly distributed. Achieving equity requires bold policy and real collaboration across government, private sector, and communities to break through these barriers.
City/Town of Residence
Brooklyn
Current Political Office (if applicable)
Brooklyn Borough President
Education
Le Moyne College
Experience and Qualifications
Brooklyn Borough President (2022-Present), City Councilmember 34th District (2014-2021)
Party Affiliation
Democrat
Key Endorsements
Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Rep. Dan Goldman, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Working Families Party, New York Central Labor Council
Campaign Telephone Number
6465466655
CampaignWebsite
ReynosoforBrooklyn.com
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/reynoso.brooklyn/?hl=en
Brooklyn’s biggest challenges are the lack of affordable housing, the mental health crisis, and food insecurity—all deeply connected and exacerbated by systemic inequities. Skyrocketing rents and displacement are forcing families out of their neighborhoods. Our mental health system is overwhelmed, leaving too many without access to supportive care or housing. And food insecurity continues to grow, with many families relying on emergency food programs just to get by. These issues don’t exist in isolation—they compound each other. When people don’t have a stable home, they’re more likely to struggle with health and economic stability. When families go hungry, children struggle in school and adults struggle at work. These challenges impact quality of life for everyone in Brooklyn, and we need holistic, community-driven solutions that prioritize dignity, stability, and access to basic needs for all our neighbors—not just those with means or influence.
I will tackle Brooklyn’s housing crisis by expanding affordable housing, protecting tenants, and preventing displacement. I’ll push for increased housing production across the borough, oppose downzonings that restrict development, and implement my Comprehensive Plan for Brooklyn—an equity-focused roadmap with over 200 recommendations that link housing, land use, and health outcomes. I’ll also host Tenant’s Rights Forums, advocate for a Tangled Title Fund, and secure capital funding for supportive housing. On mental health, I’ll expand permanent supportive housing rooted in a Housing First approach and fight for increased investment in accessible care. For food insecurity, I’ll support community-owned supermarkets, expand SNAP enrollment through local partners, and grow cold storage capacity for nonprofits. These aren’t isolated problems—they demand coordinated, people-first solutions that prioritize dignity, stability, and well-being for all Brooklynites.
First, I’ll fund renovations at District 75 schools to create vocational training spaces—like an auto shop, beauty salon, and commercial kitchen—and build a workforce pipeline for students with disabilities. I’ll also fund sensory rooms to better support their learning.
I will also continue my work with the Arts Ambassador program to uplift emerging Brooklyn artists, especially those from underrepresented communities. This initiative will provide access to funding, exhibition space, and opportunities to grow their careers and strengthen our cultural fabric.
Third, I am actively working developing a supportive housing facility designed specifically for women leaving the carceral system that will offer stable housing, job readiness programs, mental and physical health care, and services to help women prepare for independent living, ensuring both they and their children can thrive. My goal with my second term is to reduce the population of Brooklyn mothers in jail or prison to zero.
My most ambitious goal is to help build 200,000 units of housing in Brooklyn over the next four years. We’re facing a housing crisis, and the only way out is through bold, borough-wide action that prioritizes equity and scale. I’ve laid the groundwork by never supporting downzonings or historic districts that restrict development, and by pushing for ULURP approvals that increase capacity in neighborhoods across Brooklyn. I created the *Comprehensive Plan for Brooklyn* to guide growth rooted in public health, sustainability, and equity—because your zip code shouldn’t determine your life expectancy. This plan includes over 200 recommendations to improve quality of life, expand housing, and ensure every neighborhood contributes to solving our housing crisis. I’ve also called for a *citywide comprehensive plan* to replace our piecemeal zoning process and ensure that growth decisions are based on need, not politics. It’s time for every community to do its fair share.
One of the biggest challenges to building 200,000 units of housing in Brooklyn is shifting the narrative around supply-side development. Too often, conversations about new housing are dominated by fear—fear of change, displacement, or strain on infrastructure. But the truth is, not building is what’s deepening our affordability crisis and fueling displacement. We must reframe development as a tool for equity and stability, not just profit. That means helping communities understand how increased housing supply—especially when paired with strong tenant protections, affordability requirements, and investments in infrastructure—can prevent displacement, lower rents, and improve quality of life. We also face a system that prioritizes zoning over planning. Without a citywide comprehensive plan, development remains inconsistent and politicized. To overcome these challenges, we need clear, community-driven planning and the political courage to act boldly in the face of a housing emergency.
