In a short time, Kwame has emerged as a national leader in Washington. He currently serves as chair of the Council’s Committee on Economic Development and Vice-Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. He is the first DC Councilmember to be a member of the Congressional Award Foundation Board of Directors, a national organization that promotes volunteerism, public service, personal development and physical fitness.  

In addition to his leadership roles, Kwame’s first term in office led to the revitalization of Phelps High School in Ward 5, passage of the School Modernization Act, a reform of the District’s domestic violence laws, and an unprecedented focus on neighborhood revitalization, job training and local small business development.

Kwame was recently named one of the top 10 people to watch in 2009 by the Washington Business Journal.

“The reopening of Phelps Career High School, championed by Brown, has been cheered by construction companies as a much-needed return to publicly supported training in the skilled trades.” - Washington Business Journal, January 2, 2009

A Foundation in Education

Kwame graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School located in the District’s Ward 3. As a participant in the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Program, Kwame learned about the value of hard work and the opportunities a solid education can provide. During high school, Kwame spent a semester at Phelps Vocational School, a school which eventually shuttered its doors due to neglect and underfunding. As an elected official, Kwame later led the effort to revitalize Phelps into the most advanced career high school in the Washington region and the only architecture, construction and engineering public high school in the country.

Kwame went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Morgan State University. He paid his way through Morgan State by working for MCI. He later graduated from the Minority Business Executive Program & Advanced Business Executive Program at the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, as well as the Senior Executives in State & Local Government Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

A Business Leader

Upon graduating, Kwame embarked on a career specialized in business development, which gave him a keen awareness of the struggles of small business owners and workers who fuel our nation’s economy. His expertise was put to use when he was appointed by President William J. Clinton as Senior Advisor in the United States Department of Commerce. Kwame was promoted by Secretary Norman Mineta to be the Director of the Business Liaison Office within the Commerce Department.

Kwame went on to lead the Maryland/District of Columbia Minority Supplier Development Council as President/CEO. The Council is a national non-profit organization focused on creating greater access to corporate America for minority-owned businesses.

Kwame’s career opportunities gave him invaluable experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, which he now puts to use as the Council’s chair of the Committee on Economic Development.

A New Future for the District

First elected in 2004, Kwame beat a long-term incumbent with little money by knocking on doors and talking to voters one-by-one across the city. He became the first At-Large Councilmember elected while living East of the Anacostia River.

He hit the ground running and was quickly appointed chair of the Council's Special Committee on a Comprehensive Policy for Local Business Development. His focus on neighborhood revitalization and small business development has been unparalleled. He authored legislation that led to the creation of the Department of Small and Local Business Development, an agency focused on growing local businesses.

In 2007, Kwame became Chair of the Council's Committee on Economic Development. With a focus of helping the city become more prosperous and family friendly, he embarked on a mission to more aggressively invest in D.C.'s local economy. Championing hundreds-of-millions of dollars in funds to revitalize communities and support small business, Kwame's focus on Washington's economy is improving neighborhoods throughout the city.

In 2009, Kwame was re-elected to another four-year term with 172,272 votes. He is focusing his efforts on establishing job training and job readiness programs for adults on nights and weekends. He spearheaded legislation declaring a jobs training emergency in the District and requiring the Mayor to establish a plan for educating our adult population at existing career training facilities like Phelps. Ultimately, his goal is to establish a stand-alone career technical school for District residents aged 19-years and older. He is also pushing for federal dollars in the national stimulus package to aid the District in funding training programs.

Kwame is a firm believer that parents should play a bigger role in educating our children. As a parent of two children in public schools, Kwame is keenly aware of the importance of improving education in the District. He is working with the community on legislation that would require District parents to attend parent teacher conference and PTA meetings.

In addition to his chairmanship of the Committee on Economic Development, Kwame serves on four standing Council committees, including Finance and Revenue; Government Operations and the Environment; Public Works and Transportation; and Libraries, Parks and Recreation.

A Commitment to Family

Kwame maintains a strong commitment to his wife of 16 years, Marcia, daughter Lauren and son, Kwame II. He continues to live with his family in the Hillcrest community in Southeast Washington, DC.