Kwame Owusu-Kesse
Chief Executive Officer
Harlem Children's Zone
Kwame Owusu-Kesse is Chief Executive Officer of Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ), a nationally acclaimed, anti-poverty organization that has pioneered the field of comprehensive, place-based services. Since being appointed CEO, Owusu-Kesse co-founded HCZ’s William Julius Wilson Institute with HCZ President and Founder Geoffrey Canada, led the organization’s National COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Effort, and shepherded the launch of Wealth Builds, HCZ’s audacious initiative to end intergenerational poverty and close the wealth gap. Owusu-Kesse is a national figure, having 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 — Crain’s New York Business 40 under 40, and BET’s Future 40. Additionally, he has appeared in numerous national media publications and programs, including The New York Times, CBS, CNN, CNBC’s Squawk Box, and MSNBC. 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. Owusu-Kesse earned a Bachelor’s in Economics from Harvard University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School, and a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to his time at HCZ, Owusu-Kesse worked on Wall Street as an investment banking analyst for Morgan Stanley.