By Helen Bezuneh,
Special to the AFRO
Kelvin Brown, commissioner and chairman of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 7B, is running for the Ward 7 D.C. Council seat. With commitments to improving education, making our communities safer and targeting housing issues, Brown plans to be a voice for the people of Ward 7 and their varying concerns.
“I chose to run for the Ward 7 council member seat because literally every day that I speak to neighbors–either at their doorstep, or at their dining room table, the sentiments remain the same,” Brown told the AFRO. “They understand that crime continues to devastate our communities. Unemployment is up over 13 points above the national average. Housing continues to be a cost burden for many working class families across Ward seven.”
Brown said he decided to run for the Ward 7 councilmember seat because he “didn’t see that there were people that really could get to the root cause of the issues and make sure that all of our neighbors’ opinions and thoughts are part of the decision making process.”
Growing up in a working class family, Brown earned a presidential scholarship to Alabama State University, a bachelor’s degree in criminal law and a master’s degree in business administration. As a first generation college graduate, Brown eventually went on to become a high school teacher. With this background, Brown has a special care for the quality of education in D.C.
“I think politics has no room or position in the classroom,” said Brown. “As a former educator, I truly believe that we have to give the power and autonomy back to the people who have the training. That’s our teachers, our administrators, our custodial workers– any and everyone who actually works within the four walls of a school building.”
“I would be a councilmember that would work directly with teachers, administrators and staff to understand exactly what their needs are so I can in turn advocate on their behalf with legislation,” he added.
Brown is a U.S. Army veteran, having served for nearly 10 years. That, he says, intimately shapes his personal values as he seeks to serve as a D.C. councilmember.
“The principles of serving the military are commitment to service, commitment to duty, integrity, loyalty and selfless service,” he said. “I think that is lost on a lot of politicians, especially here in the District of Columbia. They forget who put them in office and who they work for and represent. As a D.C. councilmember, selfless service is in my DNA. I work on behalf and at the behest of the community. Without the community, there would not be a D.C. Council. I am a people-first serving leader and that’s how I would lead on the D.C. council as well.”
Brown oversees a multi-million dollar affordable housing portfolio for federal affordable housing financing company Fannie Mae, striving to reduce the housing cost burden for working families and people of color in urban communities across the U.S.
He has a particular focus on amplifying conversations around rent control and has been appointed to serve on the National League Cities’ Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) Council.
“As a council member, I would use my deep expertise and experience in housing to bring about systematic changes and use housing as an anchor to ground communities, build generational wealth, and make sure our communities are safer,” he said. “I want to think outside the box and be innovative and use housing as a prescription for healthcare, public safety and education.”
He also aims to improve conditions for small business owners in the District, making business ownership more accessible.
“Many of our communities have not enjoyed the economic windfalls that D.C. is experiencing, and has experienced, over the last 15 years,” said Brown. “I wanna work to look at the entire end-to-end process and eliminate whatever barriers that hinder small minority business owners, and business owners in general, from doing business right here in the District of Columbia versus taking their business and becoming licensed in Delaware or another state.”
Hudie B. Fleming Jr., a longtime resident of ward 7 who has lived in the community for over 39 years, commends the work of Kelvin Brown, who happens to be Fleming’s neighbor.
“For the first time in my 39 years of living in Hillcrest we had an ANC representative who took care of all of our concerns,” Fleming told the AFRO. “Kelvin did a wonderful job serving our community. He has responded in a timely manner to car thief, home invasions and overall neighborhood safety. We are all concerned with the uptick of crime in our neighborhood and I can honestly say that Kelvin has been on top of this with his close relationship with the Commander of the 6th District Police Department.”
“I think that with his background in education and Fannie Mae, Kelvin can help Ward 7 with school issues and affordable housing,” he continued. “What impresses me most about Kelvin is the ease in which he solves problems and the efficient way he operates. He is a wonderful choice for Ward 7 Council.”
Brown promises to thoroughly serve his community if D.C. residents vote for him.
“If you truly want a council member that’s going to be about the people, about putting service before self…then I’m your guy.”