By Linda Nwoke | Photo credit: Dujital

It’s another election year in New York City. As the race for the upcoming Brooklyn Borough President primary election draws closer, our Editor-in-Chief and host of People, Power & Politics, Pearl Phillip, spoke with one of the candidates, Mr. Khari Edwards. He shared insights into his candidacy and vision for Brooklyn. 

Initiatives to Close Wealth Gaps

The Brooklyn Borough President can allocate resources and lead initiatives to address these issues. However, over the years, Brooklyn, known for its vibrant diversity, has become overshadowed by glaring economic disparities, an issue that Edwards adjudges needs urgent attention through intentional leadership and resource allocation. “Pushing or closing that gap—really takes three things: a leader who understands equity, inclusion, and engagement,” Edwards explained. 

As someone who understands the needs of underserved communities across Brooklyn, he sees the role of the borough president as both symbolic and a critical lever for change. Leveraging on accessibility to a $45 million capital budget, Edwards intends to direct some of the funds toward infrastructure programs that will directly impact neighborhoods struggling with poor healthcare access, failing schools, and limited food resources.

Edwards stated that equity involves being present in under-resourced communities and not leaving them behind. He pointed to the dire conditions of Brooklyn’s ten safety-net hospitals, which collectively face deficits of $150 million annually—numbers expected to rise with potential federal cuts to Medicaid. 

On the issue of food insecurity, he highlighted that over 250,000 Brooklyn residents go to bed hungry each night, and only 152 food pantries serve those in need. For Edwards, equity is not just about funding—it’s about inclusion.

Brooklynites and their Struggles

Reflecting on other challenges facing many Brooklynites, Edwards shed light on the deep-rooted housing issues, particularly in historically Black and Brown communities. He admitted that this concern keeps him up at night and proposed a housing policy rooted in compassion and justice that will alleviate the burden of property taxes on long-term homeowners in areas like Canarsie and Central Brooklyn. 

Furthermore, the borough president will play a key role in land use and making affordable housing available for residents. He noted a significant flaw in the current system, including using a federal Area Median Income (AMI) that includes wealthier region

s like Westchester and Long Island, inflating what qualifies as “affordable.” “The real average median income of Brooklynites is $55,000 a year,” he said, arguing that housing developments based on higher AMIs exclude most of the borough’s residents. He proposes that new housing start at 30% AMI, making units accessible to union workers and middle-class families. 

Photo credit: Egypt Jackson

Community Outreach

Improving Brooklyn’s Public Safety 

Acknowledging that public safety is a problem in the borough, Edward highlighted the need to address the root cause of youth involvement in crime as a solution. Referring to recent conversations with city officials, he noted that while overall crime in New York City has declined, a significant portion still involves young people under 18. “We have to start giving our kids an opportunity to survive and thrive,” he said. To tackle this, Edwards plans to launch ‘Something to Do’, which would use borough resources to keep schools open after hours—particularly those without existing after-school programs. The initiative would partner with nonprofits to offer enriching, skill-building activities to inspire and engage youth, keeping them off the streets and on a path toward success.

The Something to Do program will serve as a stepping stone toward personal development, “Give them opportunities to be engineers, to learn how to do banking, something that will create a place of hope for them,” he explained. The program will offer a variety of activities, from academic support to sports, to keep young people engaged and off the streets. The objective is to create a safe and supportive space where young people can see possibilities beyond their current circumstances. 

Besides youth programs, Edwards emphasized fostering trust between the communities served and law enforcement. He plans to introduce legislation requiring implicit bias training for all new NYPD officers, especially since many recruits come from areas outside of the city and may lack familiarity with Brooklyn’s diverse communities. “In some cases, we don’t realize that these folks don’t understand how to hang out with Black folks,” he said 

Photo Credit: Candidate Website

Candidate in community with t-shirt indicating candidate’s deep investment in Brooklyn’s Future

Vision for Supporting Small Business Owners 

Drawing on life events and experiences, Edwards’ has a unique plan for supporting small businesses in Brooklyn. “My mom was a small business owner and entrepreneur; she showed me how small business turns into generational wealth and creates community,” he shared. In his view,  small businesses are pillars of neighborhoods. They provide jobs, stability, and local identity. Many small businesses hire young people, keep them off the streets, and offer valuable services to the community. That’s why he believes the government must do more than offer encouragement—it must actively empower local entrepreneurs.

One of the most exciting tools Edwards wants to unlock for Brooklyn’s small businesses is a hidden resource called Economically Targeted Investments (ETIs). ETIs are investments made to generate social and economic benefits in addition to financial returns. The $2.4 billion fund, backed by the city’s five pension plans, is designed to support housing and small business projects in underserved communities. “It’s been open for the last 40 years. No one’s been able to access it because no one’s known about it,” he explained. Edwards wants to change that by helping local entrepreneurs, especially those certified as Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), navigate the process and tap into the investment. “It’s a small business loan that you pay back to the City of New York to ensure the pension plan generates the kind of return they need.”

Secondly, rebuilding the ‘community spirit’ remains vital to the success of small businesses. Edwards encouraged residents to shop locally and reconnect with their neighborhoods. “Whether it’s a pizza shop or a laundromat—make sure a community is engaged,” he said. For Edwards, revitalizing Brooklyn’s small business scene means restoring the neighborhood bonds that once made the borough unique.

Restoring Dignity and Safety of Immigrant Communities in Brooklyn

Khari Edwards cites his experience as the son of Caribbean immigrants as the basis for his commitment to supporting Brooklyn’s immigrant communities. Growing up, he recalls how immigrants were trying to “get a piece of the pie” and earn respect rather than the perceived label as threats or outsiders. “Now, we’re in danger; immigrants’ is a bad word,” says Edwards. 

Photo credit: Egypt Jackson| Context: Petitioning Day of Action with Shirley Chisholm Democratic Club

Consequently, if elected, he wants to reintroduce localized support systems for immigrants—right from Borough Hall. “What I want to do in the borough president’s office (drawing from his experience working with Assemblyman (now Ambassador) Nick Perry) is have the office of my general counsel have an immigration office,” he explained. 

He recalled how Perry’s office was one of the few non-federal places offering immigration help, where people could get assistance with their status confidentially and without fear. He intends to replicate the model to provide legal guidance and a sense of security for those navigating an increasingly hostile system. In his view, everyone, except Native Americans, came from immigrant roots, and the idea of rejecting immigrant families is both morally wrong and socially dangerous. However, his key goal is to make Brooklyn a place where immigrants feel safe, supported, and seen—not hunted.

Photo credit: Egypt Jackson | Context: Community Outreach

Environmental Sustainability 

In response to tackling environmental issues in Brooklyn, Edwards intends to start with education and raising community awareness rather than punishment. “We’ve been a community of waste for so long,” he said, pointing out that many people don’t know how to compost or separate trash properly. Instead of punishing residents with fines, Edwards argues for offering practical education to help people understand their environmental impact—especially when leaving a better world for the next generation. He shared his journey of switching to an electric car, initially for economic reasons but later realizing the environmental benefits. From lead pipes in the ground to responsible rezoning in neighborhoods like Gowanus and Coney Island, Edwards sees infrastructure as a critical area for improvement.

Beyond education, Edwards is focused on expanding green spaces across Brooklyn. “We need to just really plant more trees… not just be this concrete jungle that Alicia Keys talked about,” says Edwards. Therefore, his proposal to tackle the concern involves investing in more parks, shade areas, and oxygen-rich environments from the borough’s $45 million annual capital budget. With federal environmental protections under threat, Edwards emphasized the importance of empowering local governments to take charge: “We become our ecosystem.” 

As the primary election draws closer, Khari Edward hopes that Brooklynites will consider his commitment to equity, inclusion, and engagement, aligning with the needs of the citizens from every Brooklyn neighborhood who want to feel heard and represented. “My goal is to create a borough where every community feels seen, supported, and engaged in decision-making processes,” he says.

For more information about candidate Khari Edwards for Brooklyn Borough President, please visit https://www.khariedwards2025.com/

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