Khari Edwards - Ballotpedia

Khari attended Thomas Edison University. He lives in Crown Heights with his wife, Jahmila, and their three children. 

Khari works as the head of corporate responsibility at Ayr Wellness. Previously, he was the vice president of external affairs at Brookdale Hospital for eight years.

Khari Edwards ran for Brooklyn Borough president in 2021 but did not win. 

Supports small businesses by sharing resources, searching for funding, amplifying opportunities, and advocating with agencies, legislatures, and executives.

Promises to support small businesses by sharing resources, searching for funding, amplifying opportunities, and advocating with agencies, legislatures, and executives.

Plans to partner with businesses to create internships and job shadowing opportunities for high school students.

Supports organized and labor unions, believing they are essential for protecting workers' rights.

- Promises to support small businesses by sharing resources, searching for funding, amplifying opportunities, and advocating with agencies, legislatures, and executives.
- Plans to partner with businesses to create internships and job shadowing opportunities for high school students.
- Supports organized and labor unions, believing they are essential for protecting workers' rights.

Economy

Plans to reinstate the position of Director or Liaison to community boards to ensure community boards' by-laws, voting issues, and membership applications are attended to by the borough president's office.

Plans to use the borough president's discretionary budget to fund community board days, block parties, or concerts to support community engagement.

Plans to partner with local philanthropy to bring back the fresh air fund, taking financially struggling children out of the inner city to camps and nature experiences.

Plans to use the borough president's capital budget to fund transportation for organizations like the Campaign Against Hunger, Fort Greene food and JCRC, utilizing local farms and community gardens.

Plans to build composting stations outside of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) buildings to create sustainable soil for nutrient-rich food production.

Plans to implement "Something To Do" programs in schools and provide safe, free space for non-profits to keep children occupied after school.

- Plans to reinstate the position of Director or Liaison to community boards to ensure community boards' by-laws, voting issues, and membership applications are attended to by the borough president's office.
- Plans to use the borough president's discretionary budget to fund community board days, block parties, or concerts to support community engagement.
- Plans to partner with local philanthropy to bring back the fresh air fund, taking financially struggling children out of the inner city to camps and nature experiences.
- Plans to use the borough president's capital budget to fund transportation for organizations like the Campaign Against Hunger, Fort Greene food and JCRC, utilizing local farms and community gardens.
- Plans to build composting stations outside of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) buildings to create sustainable soil for nutrient-rich food production.
- Plans to implement "Something To Do" programs in schools and provide safe, free space for non-profits to keep children occupied after school.

Public Services

Proposes using the Area Median Income (AMI) of each individual ZIP code, and then only approving affordable housing development projects if they include housing for people who make 50% of the ZIP code's AMI.

Wants to re-establish an appropriate number of tax assessors to address disparities in property tax assessments.

- Proposes using the Area Median Income (AMI) of each individual ZIP code, and then only approving affordable housing development projects if they include housing for people who make 50% of the ZIP code's AMI.
- Wants to re-establish an appropriate number of tax assessors to address disparities in property tax assessments.

Housing & Urban Development

Plans to invest capital money to fund painting train trestles and highway overpasses.

Plans to invest in painting train trestles and highway overpasses to address peeling lead paint.

Plans to work with the federal department of transportation and Mayor to improve BQE expressways and recommend a tree planting initiative to use vegetation to reduce carbon monoxide through tree absorption.

Supports improving the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) and recommends a tree planting initiative to reduce carbon monoxide.

- Plans to invest in painting train trestles and highway overpasses to address peeling lead paint.
- Supports improving the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) and recommends a tree planting initiative to reduce carbon monoxide.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports providing mental health support for students and families through weekly visits from psychology and psychiatry hospital residents and social worker fellows to non-community schools.

Plans to use a portion of the borough president's budget to partner with the Department of Education to keep schools open after hours for free programming by local non-profits.

Plans to use the borough president's capital budget to improve school infrastructure, including broadband, auditoriums, air conditioning, and gymnasiums.

Plans to use borough hall or local community offices as support depots for teachers to assist with student supply shortages.

Plans to fund non-profits that support children who desire to attend college.

Supports addressing the budget and talent gap in hiring bilingual staff and English as a New Language teachers for the increasing number of migrant students.

- Supports providing mental health support for students and families through weekly visits from psychology and psychiatry hospital residents and social worker fellows to non-community schools.
- Plans to use a portion of the borough president's budget to partner with the Department of Education to keep schools open after hours for free programming by local non-profits.
- Plans to use the borough president's capital budget to improve school infrastructure, including broadband, auditoriums, air conditioning, and gymnasiums.
- Plans to use borough hall or local community offices as support depots for teachers to assist with student supply shortages.
- Plans to fund non-profits that support children who desire to attend college.
- Supports addressing the budget and talent gap in hiring bilingual staff and English as a New Language teachers for the increasing number of migrant students.

Education

Supports investing in community programs to reduce gun violence.

Plans to expand the "It Starts Here" program, which aims to reduce violence, to other hospitals in Brooklyn and NYC.

Plans to fund programs like the Flatbush leadership academy, KAVI, and Community Alternatives to provide opportunities and break cycles of violence.

Plans to fund programs like the Flatbush Leadership Academy, KAVI, and Community Alternatives to provide opportunities and "break cycles of violence."

Plans to implement mandatory implicit bias training for new police recruits with a refresher course every five years.

Supports creating safe zone ambassador businesses and areas with extra camera surveillance to protect potential crime victims.

- Supports investing in community programs to reduce gun violence.
- Plans to expand the "It Starts Here" program, which aims to reduce violence, to other hospitals in Brooklyn and NYC.
- Plans to fund programs like the Flatbush Leadership Academy, KAVI, and Community Alternatives to provide opportunities and "break cycles of violence."
- Plans to implement mandatory implicit bias training for new police recruits with a refresher course every five years.
- Supports creating safe zone ambassador businesses and areas with extra camera surveillance to protect potential crime victims.

Public Safety

Plans to provide $500,000 annually to safety net hospitals for capital upgrades and new equipment.

Plans to establish a Healthcare Equity Task Force to address healthcare disparities, access issues, and funding.

Plans to "reimagine" the "take your spouse to the doctor" campaign as "take your loved one to the doctor" to encourage healthier communities.

Plans to financially support health fairs produced by hospitals and educational institutions.

Plans to support a "pray for good health" campaign by partnering with local health institutions to provide healthcare screening for houses of worship, conducting blood pressure and non-invasive screenings.

Supports changing reimbursement rates for mental health services and encouraging businesses to offer them for free or low cost, saying "Individuals suffering from mental health issues need compassion and attention."

- Plans to provide $500,000 annually to safety net hospitals for capital upgrades and new equipment.
- Plans to establish a Healthcare Equity Task Force to address healthcare disparities, access issues, and funding.
- Plans to "reimagine" the "take your spouse to the doctor" campaign as "take your loved one to the doctor" to encourage healthier communities.
- Plans to financially support health fairs produced by hospitals and educational institutions.
- Plans to support a "pray for good health" campaign by partnering with local health institutions to provide healthcare screening for houses of worship, conducting blood pressure and non-invasive screenings.
- Supports changing reimbursement rates for mental health services and encouraging businesses to offer them for free or low cost, saying "Individuals suffering from mental health issues need compassion and attention."
- Supports abortion.

Healthcare

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Khari Edwards

Plans to conduct bi-monthly meetings with community board chairs and district managers, and to have city agency liaisons attend quarterly meetings.

Plans to provide a stipend for child care on meeting nights for mothers or caretakers who do not have child care.

Plans to create a culture fund to provide fiscal support to free, public programs that employ local talent from the borough.

Plans to expand the "It Starts Here" program, which he created at Brookdale Hospital to combat rising violence in East Brooklyn, to other hospitals in Brooklyn and NYC.

Plans to partner with local philanthropy to "bring back the fresh air fund, taking children who are financially struggling out of the inner city to camps and nature experiences."

Plans to use a portion of the borough president's budget to partner with the Department of Education (DOE) to keep schools open after hours for free programming by local non-profits.

- Promises to support small businesses by sharing resources, searching for funding, amplifying opportunities, and advocating with agencies, legislatures, and executives.
- Plans to partner with businesses to create internships and job shadowing opportunities for high school students.

- Supports investing in community programs to reduce gun violence.
- Plans to expand the "It Starts Here" program, which aims to reduce violence, to other hospitals in Brooklyn and NYC.
- Plans to fund programs like the Flatbush Leadership Academy, KAVI, and Community Alternatives to provide opportunities and "break cycles of violence."

- Plans to provide $500,000 annually to safety net hospitals for capital upgrades and new equipment.
- Plans to establish a Healthcare Equity Task Force to address healthcare disparities, access issues, and funding.
- Plans to "reimagine" the "take your spouse to the doctor" campaign as "take your loved one to the doctor" to encourage healthier communities.
- Plans to financially support health fairs produced by hospitals and educational institutions.
- Plans to support a "pray for good health" campaign by partnering with local health institutions to provide healthcare screening for houses of worship, conducting blood pressure and non-invasive screenings.
- Supports changing reimbursement rates for mental health services and encouraging businesses to offer them for free or low cost, saying "Individuals suffering from mental health issues need compassion and attention."

- Plans to reinstate the position of Director or Liaison to community boards to ensure community boards' by-laws, voting issues, and membership applications are attended to by the borough president's office.
- Plans to use the borough president's discretionary budget to fund community board days, block parties, or concerts to support community engagement.
- Plans to create a culture fund to provide fiscal support to free, public programs that employ local talent from the borough.
- Plans to partner with local philanthropy to bring back the fresh air fund, taking financially struggling children out of the inner city to camps and nature experiences.
- Plans to use the borough president's capital budget to fund transportation for organizations like the Campaign Against Hunger, Fort Greene food and JCRC, utilizing local farms and community gardens.
- Plans to build composting stations outside of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) buildings to create sustainable soil for nutrient-rich food production.
- Plans to implement "Something To Do" programs in schools and provide safe, free space for non-profits to keep children occupied after school.
- Plans to fund programs like the Flatbush Leadership Academy, KAVI, and Community Alternatives to provide opportunities and "break cycles of violence."
- Plans to expand the "It Starts Here" program, which he created at Brookdale Hospital to combat rising violence in East Brooklyn, to other hospitals in Brooklyn and NYC.
- Plans to partner with local philanthropy to "bring back the fresh air fund, taking children who are financially struggling out of the inner city to camps and nature experiences."

Plans to work with the federal department of transportation and Mayor to improve the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE).

- Plans to invest capital money to fund painting train trestles and highway overpasses.
- Plans to work with the federal department of transportation and Mayor to improve the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE).

- Supports investing in community programs to reduce gun violence.
- Plans to expand the "It Starts Here" program, which aims to reduce violence, to other hospitals in Brooklyn and NYC.

Plans to "Re-Grand" open Borough Hall to present public programs that amplify local communities and cultures.

Plans to treat cultural creators as non-traditional businesses by amplifying resources and opportunities from private, public, and government sources.

Plans to establish the "Honor Guard" to acknowledge high-achieving middle and high school scholars, athletes, award winners, and scholarship recipients.

Plans to partner with local philanthropy to bring back the "fresh air fund," taking financially struggling children out of the inner city to camps and nature experiences.

Plans to use the borough president's capital budget to fund transportation for organizations like the Campaign Against Hunger, Fort Greene food, and JCRC, utilizing local farms and community gardens.

Plans to fund programs like the Flatbush Leadership Academy, KAVI, and Community Alternatives to provide opportunities and break cycles of violence.

Plans to expand the "It Starts Here" program, which he created at Brookdale Hospital to combat rising violence in East Brooklyn, to other hospitals throughout Brooklyn and New York City.

Wants to re-establish an appropriate number of tax assessors to address disparities in property taxes.

Plans to invest capital money to fund painting train trestles and highway overpasses to address lead paint and corrosion issues.

Plans to establish the "Honor Guard" to acknowledge high achieving middle school and high school scholars, athletes, award winners, and scholarship recipients.

Plans to use borough hall or local community offices as support depots for teachers to assist with supply shortages of students.

Plans to implement "Something To Do" programs in schools and provide safe, free space for non-profits to keep children occupied after school, reducing gang recruitment.

Plans to support non-community schools with weekly visits from psychology and psychiatry hospital residents and social worker fellows to provide mental health support for students and family members.

Supports investing in community programs to reduce gun violence and gang recruitment.

Proposes creating safety zones and cease fire districts with law enforcement, local businesses, community organizations, and churches to encourage peaceful dialogue.

Plans to establish a Healthcare Equity Task Force to address disparities in healthcare and ensure all Brooklyn residents receive quality services.

Believes mental health services need more funding and plans to push the governor to change reimbursement rates and entice businesses to offer free or low-cost mental health services to employees.

Believes seniors are "the backbone of our community" and supports funding for senior healthcare, protecting homes from third-party transfers and high property taxes, and ensuring safety from crime and abuse.

Plans to use a portion of the borough president's budget to partner with the Department of Education to keep schools open after hours for local non-profits to use for free programming.

Plans to establish the "Honor Guard" to acknowledge high achieving middle and high school scholars, athletes, award winners, and scholarship recipients.

Plans to treat cultural makers as non-traditional businesses by amplifying resources and opportunities from private, public, and government sources.

Plans to use the borough president's discretionary budget to fund community board days, block parties, or concerts as community engagement support.

Plans to support mothers or caretakers without child care by providing a stipend for child care on meeting nights.

Plans to create safe zone ambassador businesses and areas with extra camera surveillance to protect potential crime victims.

Plans to support small businesses and business corridors by sharing resources, searching for funding sources, amplifying opportunities, and advocating with agencies, legislatures, and executives.

Promises to prioritize constituent services, saying, "I will be outside. My team will be outside. We will work to support and celebrate all Brooklynites."

Wants to change how Area Median Income (AMI) is determined and used for setting housing affordability thresholds.

Supports efforts to hire more bilingual staff and English as a New Language teachers to address the needs of the increasing number of migrant students requiring English language services.

Plans to establish a Healthcare Equity Task Force to address healthcare disparities and ensure quality services for all Brooklyn residents.

Plans to encourage community health by supporting hospital and educational institution health fairs, partnering with local health institutions to provide healthcare screenings for houses of worship, and reimagining the "take your spouse to the doctor" campaign as "take your loved one to the doctor."

Believes mental health services need more funding and support, and plans to push the governor to change reimbursement rates and encourage businesses to offer free or low-cost mental health services to employees.

Plans to reinstate the position of Director or Liaison to community boards to ensure community boards' by-laws, voting issues, and applications for membership are attended to by the borough president's office.

Plans to conduct bi-monthly meetings with community board chairs and district managers to address their needs, issues, and concerns.

Plans to use the borough president's discretionary budget to fund community board days, block parties, and concerts to support community engagement.

Plans to provide a stipend for child care on meeting nights for mothers and caretakers who do not have child care.

Plans to partner with local philanthropy to revive the Fresh Air Fund, which takes financially struggling children from the inner city to camps and nature experiences.

Wants to change how Area Median Income is determined and used for setting housing affordability thresholds.

Plans to encourage community health by reviving the "take your loved one to the doctor" campaign, financially supporting health fairs, and partnering with local health institutions for healthcare screenings in houses of worship.

Believes mental health services need higher reimbursement rates and businesses should offer them for free or low cost, like gym memberships.

- Borough Presidents serve as advocates for their respective boroughs, advising the mayor and city agencies on borough-specific needs and priorities. ​
- By influencing budget allocations and land use decisions, Borough Presidents can directly impact the development and quality of life in their boroughs.
- Borough Presidents are elected to four-year terms and can serve up to two consecutive terms. ​
- The annual salary for a Borough President is $179,200. ​