GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP
GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP
"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tremendous accomplishments of KEVIN O'KEEFE, a dedicated community member ... Kevin has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our community ... Kevin has led multiple initiatives to increase the quality of life ... Kevin's commitment extends to youth sports and education. He is a former all-American athlete who volunteers as a sports coach ... has inspired many people to find a middle ground when talking with those with differing views and has earned accolades from former President BARACK OBAMA ... his outstanding service and leadership ... sets a commendable example of civic engagement and community spirit."
— U.S. Congressman JERRY NADLER, read into The Congressional Record
"Incredible leadership. Kevin is a fearless leader."
— New York State Senator KRISTEN GONZALEZ in presenting Kevin with the New York State Senate 2025 Commendation Award
"Kevin successfully fought for the reopening of the [St. Vartan Park garden] after decades of closure."
— State Assembly Member HARVEY EPSTEIN (District 74) in state proclamation
"Kevin O’Keefe ... is running for State Assembly to amplify everyday voices too often unjustly ignored or silenced... He pegged the three biggest issues in his campaign: addressing affordable housing, fixing the health care crisis and protecting the environment."
— Our Town, December 2025
KEVIN O'KEEFE
FOR NEW YORK ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 74
KEVIN O'KEEFE
FOR NEW YORK ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 74
Fighting for Better Everyday Living Every Day
Fighting for Better Everyday Living Every Day
Communities (all or part): East Midtown • East Village • Flatiron • Gramercy • Kips Bay • Lower East Side • Midtown South • Murray Hill • NoMad • Rose Hill • Stuyvesant Square • Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village • Tudor City • Turtle Bay • Union Square
Kevin's Democratic candidacy turbocharges his tireless fight for more affordable, safe, just and welcome everyday living.
Kevin is a battle-tested community leader known for delivering desired results ahead of schedule through people-first advocacy.
A noted author and authority on everyday lives and needs, he's running to serve as an advocate from the people up, not from corporate interests down.
Here's some of Kevin's vision on issues.
Although the third candidate in the field, Kevin is the first to earn state matching funds for substantial in-district support.
Winner of Community Fights for Equity, Environment, Government Transparency, Parks, Inviting and Safe Streetscape
Winner of Community Fights for Equity, Environment, Government Transparency, Parks, Inviting and Safe Streetscape
Champion of Affordability, Tenant Rights, Working Class, Public Transit, Schools, Quality Healthcare for All
Champion of Affordability, Tenant Rights, Working Class, Public Transit, Schools, Quality Healthcare for All
High-Performance Business and Grassroots Leader, Tech-Forward Manager
High-Performance Business and Grassroots Leader, Tech-Forward Manager
"St. Vartan Park Conservancy's main goal, O'Keefe said, is to make the community happy."
— amNew York
Founding president,
ST. VARTAN PARK CONSERVANCY
President of district change agent
MANHATTAN EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (MECA)
Member, government advisory agency MANHATTAN COMMUNITY BOARD 6 (Midtown East) since 2019 and former chair, multiple committees
Member, BELLEVUE HOSPITAL COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
Founder and leader, free district-wide community basketball service SWISH YOU WERE HERE
Board member, STUYVESANT COVE PARK ASSOCIATION
Advisory board member, annual festival of cultural events THE VILLAGE TRIP
Recipient, NEW YORK STATE SENATE 2025 COMMENDATION AWARD
Recipient, SAMUEL J. TILDEN DEMOCRATIC CLUB PLATINUM ANNIVERSARY AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO COMMUNITY
Recipient on behalf of St. Vartan Park Conservancy, NEW YORK STATE PROCLAMATION in recognition of Conservancy's "enduring and positive change"
Kevin's work to resolve everyday community challenges every day includes progress on working-class and middle-class struggles too often bypassed by politicians.
Kevin draws from his insight as an expert on average citizens to create proven solutions for positive everyday change.
SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES ADVOCATE
Kevin is a husband, dad and youth sports coach.
"O'Keefe, a father of three teenagers and a member of the local community board, said the area is often filled with children going to and from five nearby schools. ‘This is a community, this is not the big fearful city,' Mr. O’Keefe said.”
—The New York Times
Kevin was raised in a family of seven by a public school teacher and a university administrative assistant.
PROGRESSIVE BUSINESSMAN
ENTREPRENEUR, TECH AND MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL
FIRST GOVERNMENT CLIENT: AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
MASTER'S DEGREE IN ADMINISTRATION
FIRST POST-GRAD JOB: A DIRECTOR AT LARGEST HISTORICALLY BLACK UNIVERSITY IN U.S.
"Kevin ... joined South African President NELSON MANDELA at a dinner at the Vergelegen estate outside Cape Town ... It is with enormous pride that [Kevin] went on to serve on the selection committee of the ARTHUR ASHE Humanitarian Award."
— TennisMatch
KEVIN UNDErSTANDS EVERYDAY NEEDS
"Kevin ... learned lessons about life that hit close to home. 'It's all about family, it's all about community' ... a message often lost in a world obsessed with celebrity."
— CBS Evening News
Kevin is a respected expert on the life of the average citizen.
"When you peel back the numbers and look at the lives underneath, it turns out there's much to love ... and much to learn, as Kevin O'Keefe discovered."
— Time magazine
Kevin embraces teamwork.
Offers Kips Bay resident and highly active schools advocate ERICA WOLF, "Kevin is a pillar of the community and works tirelessly to improve the quality of life in our area. He makes the community a better place to live, conduct business and raise a family. Kevin has always listened to community concerns, taken a hands-on approach to solving problems and has a unique ability to see the big picture and create coalitions to take action."
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