Harlem Woman Named Deputy Borough President of Manhattan

HARLEM, NY — One of the new leaders charged with guiding Manhattan through the pandemic is a Harlem resident descended from one of the neighborhood's most prominent political families.

Keisha Sutton-James was named Thursday as a deputy borough president by Mark Levine, who took office as borough president on Jan. 1.

Sutton-James is a consultant and advocate who most recently served as campaign manager for Alvin Bragg — a fellow Harlemite — in his successful run for Manhattan District Attorney. Last fall, she was also an early primary candidate for the State Senate nomination that ultimately went to Cordell Cleare.

She also happens to be the granddaughter of Percy Sutton, the civil rights activist and politician who served as Manhattan Borough President in the 1960s and '70s.

"It’s an honor to carry on my grandfather, former Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton’s, legacy in this office," Sutton-James said in a statement.

As deputy borough president, she will oversee community affairs and Manhattan's 12 community boards, including the appointment process set to begin this winter.

Levine, in a statement, praised Sutton-James's "broad range of experience and backgrounds.

"Manhattan is in Keisha’s blood, and her commitment to fighting for a more equitable borough that centers neighborhood-level issues will be crucial to Manhattan's future," Levine said.

She will be one of Levine's two deputies, along with Aya Keefe, an Inwood resident who most recently served as Levine's chief of staff in the City Council. Keefe will be responsible for the office's land use, policy and capital funding operations.