Brooklyn Borough Prez appoints Rev. Kimberly Council as deputy

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso on March 31 announced the appointment of the Rev. Kimberly Council as deputy Brooklyn borough president, replacing former Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, who served briefly in that capacity.

Reynoso said that, in her new role, Rev. Council will serve as “an external surrogate for the borough president, while also leading faith-based work and other special projects for the administration.”

Prior to her new role, Rev. Council served as assistant pastor of Greater Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Crown Heights, Brooklyn since 2021 under Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Randy L. Ware. Her appointment is effective April 17, 2023.

“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,” Reynoso said. “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.

“For many years, Kim has worked alongside our communities to address these inequities and invoke change that people can feel in their everyday lives,” he added. “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.”

“I’ve dedicated my career to the communities and people of Brooklyn, focusing on finding ways to better lives and strengthen opportunities for all,” Rev. Council said. “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,” she added.

Rev. Council has served as the senior reference librarian at Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP since 1998.

She’s also served as the secretary of the board and executive director of the Berean Community & Family Life Center, president of the East Brooklyn Housing Development Corporation, and president of the Law Library Association of Greater New York.

She currently sits on the Executive Board of Women of Faith Advocating Change, a partnership of female pastors, clergy leaders, community service providers and elected officials; serves as vice chair of the Board of Directors of the Local Development Corporation of East New York; and sits on the advisory council of the Dreyfus Health Policy and Research Center.

Rev. Council has dedicated her life to community service, led by her faith and accepting the call to ministry. She is a former Sunday school teacher, who has served as the superintendent of the Young Adult Department and taught about women and social justice at the Historic Berean Baptist Church of Brooklyn.

Since then, her service has spanned issues and borders. She has led programs to build affordable housing, organized food pantries, and developed youth enrichment activities and violence prevention programs in Brooklyn as the executive director of the Berean Community and Family Life Center.

In 2019, Rev. Council was also appointed to serve on the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) International Task Force, which was tasked to raise $10 million in four years to create endowments at all accredited HBCUs, including some predominantly Black institutions like Brooklyn’s own Medgar Evers College by the International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

“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,” said Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas. “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.”

“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,” said former member of Congress Ed Towns.

“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,” said Councilmember Sandy Nurse.

“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,” said Rev. Clinton Miller, pastor, Brown Memorial Baptist Church.

“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.”

Rev. Council received a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina Central University and a Master of Science in Library Science from Pratt Institute.

She lives in Cypress Hills with her daughter and son.