Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso recently announced the election of Rev. Kimberly Council to the position of deputy borough president of Brooklyn. Richardson, a former assemblywoman, held the position for a short period of time before being replaced.
Rev. Council will act as “an external surrogate for the borough president, while also leading faith-based work and other special projects for the administration,” according to Reynoso, in her new position.
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Rev. Council formerly held the position of assistant pastor at Greater Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where she worked under senior pastor Rev. Dr. Randy L. Ware from 2021. Her position will take effect on April 17, 2023.
Reynoso explained,“Rev. Council’s history of specialized community service and faith-based work in Brooklyn will bring the work our administration has been dedicated to for the past year to the next level.”
He added, “Our borough and this city are facing serious challenges right now – issues like undignified and unaffordable housing, food insecurity, and the looming fear of violence and loss.
Reynosa noted that In order to address injustices and bring about change that people can really experience in their daily lives, Kim would be the best agent to do so. She has collaborated with communities for many years to tackle these current issues.
He noted, “It’s this expertise and commitment to our people that made Kim a fierce competitor in her campaign for Borough President in 2021, and why I’m so grateful we are joining forces on behalf of the 2.6 million Brooklynites we are now privileged to call our constituents.”
Rev. Council remarked, “I’ve dedicated my career to the communities and people of Brooklyn, focusing on finding ways to better lives and strengthen opportunities for all.”
She noted, “Being appointed Deputy Borough President gives me the opportunity to carry this work out at a larger, borough-wide level alongside a colleague I’ve long respected.
“Agreeing with Borough President Reynoso’s approach, policy priorities, and general strategy to reach the strongest, most sustainable future for all Brooklynites, I look forward to building that vision for the millions of people who call this beautiful borough home.”
Since 1998, Rev. Council has held the position of senior reference librarian at Sullivan & Cromwell, LLC.
She has also held the positions of executive director, secretary of the board, and president of other organizations, including the East Brooklyn Housing Development Corporation, the Law Library Association of Greater New York, and the Berean Community & Family Life Center.
She now serves as vice chair of the Board of Directors of the Local Development Corporation of East New York, is a member of the advisory committee for the Dreyfus Health Policy and Research Center, and is on the executive board of Women of Faith Advocating Change, a group of female pastors, church leaders, community service workers, and elected officials.
Following her religion and heeding the call to ministry, Rev. Council has committed her life to serve the community. She was the supervisor of the Young Adult Department and a former Sunday school teacher at Brooklyn’s Historic Berean Baptist Church, where she also taught classes on women’s issues and social justice.
Her service has since transcended concerns and boundaries. As the executive director of the Berean Community and Family Life Center, she oversaw initiatives to provide low-cost housing, establish food banks, create a childhood education program, and reduce violent crime in Brooklyn.
Rev. Council was also appointed to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) International Task Force in the year 2019. This organization was charged with raising $10 million over the course of four years to establish wealth and resources at all authorized HBCUs, including some that are predominately Black, like Brooklyn’s own Medgar Evers College.
Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas noted that the commemoration is of great significance, to the Brooklyn population, “Today is a great day for Brooklyn as we congratulate Kim Council as our new deputy borough president. Kim is a lifelong Brooklynite who understands the needs of the entire borough and an extraordinary addition to Borough President Antonio Reynoso’s team.”
“Our new Deputy Borough President is a woman of intellect, insight, and integrity that I am confident will enhance the team. I look forward to working with Kim to bring much-needed resources to the 60th Assembly District.”
Former member of Congress Ed Towns, “Congratulations to Borough President Reynoso for appointing Kim Council, deputy borough president of Brooklyn. She is truly a coalition builder and has demonstrated her love for the residents of Brooklyn.”
Councilmember Sandy Nurse expressed, “I’m thrilled to see Kim step into the role of Deputy Brooklyn Borough President. I’ve known Kim to be a strong leader and incredibly passionate about lifting up our community. I’m looking forward to collaborating with her and her leadership at Borough Hall.”
Rev. Clinton Miller, pastor, of Brown Memorial Baptist Church noted, “Raised in Brooklyn, Kim captivates the spirit of what Brooklyn was and what it can become. Her professional work for over 20 years at one of New York’s premier and oldest law firms has exposed her to laws and practices that often intersect with politics. Moreover, her passion for building community and volunteerism in the areas of education, housing, and food delivery makes her an excellent choice for this position.”
Rev. Council graduated from North Carolina Central University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature and from Pratt Institute with a Master of Science in library science noted, “As an ordained minister, Rev. Council’s faith has informed her ecumenical approach to spirituality,” he added. “In a borough where there is such diversity of faith traditions, her training will be an asset to her service. On behalf of Brown Memorial Baptist Church, many churches, and residents in Central Brooklyn, we celebrate Borough President Reynoso’s appointment of Kim Council as deputy borough president. Congratulations to Kim and Brooklyn.”
