Mr. Downey has dedicated his career to improving the quality of life for individuals and communities.
HUMBLE, TX, September 09, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ — Keith Wyndel Downey has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Downey has dedicated his career to improving the quality of life for individuals and communities. Currently, he is a board member of the Galveston International Juneteenth Museum, the city of Galveston’s tribute to the day in 1865 when it was announced that all enslaved people were free. A Texas native, Mr. Downey has made significant contributions to the museum’s mission. He also serves as a talk-show host on 1230-AM KCOH The Source in Houston, where he addresses pressing community issues and engages with listeners on a variety of topics.
Mr. Downey’s background is in architectural design and construction project management. From 2004 to 2014, he was a construction project manager for the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, where he helped to design affordable housing in Harlem, East Harlem, the Bronx, lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. He also helped oversee the reconstruction of over 20 parks in Queens and Brooklyn. His impressive work in New York City also includes the first handicapped/able-bodied playground for children in Queens. Mr. Downey’s commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected in his collaborations with environmental groups in Houston to address long-standing issues.
After his decade-long tenure with New York City Parks & Recreation, Mr. Downey returned to his hometown of Houston to help the community where he was born and raised, his beloved Fifth Ward. In 2015, Mr. Downey became the community council chairman at ProUnitas Inc., where he played a pivotal role in fostering community engagement and addressing systemic challenges before leaving that post in 2023.
Before embarking on his professional journey, Mr. Downey earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating in 1987. He completed the Community Environmental Leadership Program at Texas Southern University in 2021 with a focus on environmental science. In 2020, he earned a certification in organizational leadership from Cornell University.
Mr. Downey’s career is also complemented by his civic affiliations. He is a board member for both the Northeast Houston Redevelopment Council and the Bayou City Initiative, is the president of Kashmere Gardens Super Neighborhood Council #52, and is the alliance vice chair of the Super Neighborhood Alliance, helping the Kashmere Gardens community residents address flooding and flood mitigation, food inequality, education, transportation, health and wellness.
Mr. Downey has been known to serve breakfast to the homeless in churches around Houston and also stand up for various causes — from fair minimum wages for fast food workers to helping address safety issues with the railroads in the community. He assisted the Positive Black Male Association of Houston on Christmas Eve by donning a Santa Claus suit, stationing himself outside of the Harris County Jail for the children who were visiting parents and loved ones who were incarcerated.
Mr. Downey’s civic efforts have not gone unnoticed. He was given a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, named as ProUnitas’ Volunteer Of The Year, named a “Houston Hero” by the Houston Chronicle, a Shell Hurricane Hero, a Ford Hurricane Harvey Hero, and was given a “Man of The Year” award by the Positive Black Male Association of Houston. Mr. Downey also writes for “The Good Men Project,” where he shares insights on leadership and community service.
Born in Houston, Mr. Downey attributes much of his success to the foundational values instilled by his grandmother and aunt. Their guidance has been instrumental in shaping his approach to life and work. A husband, father, and grandfather, Mr. Downey envisions a future where people are more self-sustainable and empowered. His ongoing efforts aim to create lasting positive change within communities, ensuring that individuals have the resources and support they need to thrive.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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