Kwame Owusu-Kesse

Kwame Owusu-Kesse is the CEO of Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ), a nationally acclaimed, anti-poverty organization that has pioneered the field of comprehensive, place-based services. 

Appointed to the role of CEO in 2020, after his tenure as COO, Mr. Owusu-Kesse launched HCZ’s transformation into a truly national organization — spearheading efforts to scale its place-based model to under-resourced communities across the country. To catalyze this effort, he co-founded HCZ’s William Julius Wilson Institute with HCZ President and Founder Geoffrey Canada, and led the organization’s National COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Effort to support communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Additionally, he shepherded the launch of Wealth Builds, HCZ’s audacious initiative to end intergenerational poverty and close the wealth gap by empowering young people and families with the education and resources to build successful financial futures. Locally, Mr. Owusu-Kesse oversees the administration of HCZ’s comprehensive, cradle-to-career services to over 22,000 children and families living in a 100-block — and growing — area of Central Harlem in New York City. 

Mr. Owusu-Kesse sees himself in the youth of HCZ. He was fortunate to have opportunities as a boy to receive a high-quality education and reach his academic potential. After graduating high school, Mr. Owusu-Kesse earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Harvard University and launched his career at Morgan Stanley as an analyst. During his third year with the bank, Owusu-Kesse was chosen for an externship at HCZ — an experience that paved the way for his career at HCZ. 

After finishing the externship, Owusu-Kesse returned to Harvard, where he earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School. With his time at Harvard complete, Mr. Owusu-Kesse re-joined HCZ as Managing Director and Special Assistant to the CEO. Two years later, he was promoted to COO and finally, CEO.

As CEO, Mr. Owusu-Kesse became a national media figure who has appeared on numerous lists, including the 2024 TIME100 Next, TIME’s annual list spotlighting the world’s most influential rising stars shaping the future of our society. Additionally, he was named to Crain’s New York Business 40 under 40, BET’s Future 40, City & State New York’s Nonprofit Power 100, and NY Politics and amNY Metro’s Power Players in Education lists. He has appeared on numerous national media shows, including CBS Sunday Morning, CNN Newsroom with Poppy Harlow, CNBC’s Squawk Box, and MSNBC’s Live with Stephanie Ruhle. He has written and been interviewed for The New York Times, and he has been profiled in the publication’s Sunday Routine. Mr. Owusu-Kesse is a sought-after thought leader on various topics including social and economic mobility, business leadership, community building, youth development, and mental health and wellness.