Dr. Kwesi W. Blackman
Dr. Kwesi W. Blackman ’07 Elected Chair of KCC Foundation Board
Dr. Kwesi W. Blackman ’07 Elected Chair of KCC Foundation Board
Kingsborough Community College (KCC) has announced the election of alumnus Dr. Kwesi W. Blackman (’07) as chair of the Kingsborough Community College Foundation Board, a nonprofit organization that provides financial support to the College through scholarships, emergency grants, and program funding. Currently an attending physician in the Department of Internal Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, Blackman resides in Brooklyn with his wife, son, and twin daughters.
Born in Georgetown, Guyana, and raised in Flatbush, Blackman graduated from Clara Barton High School in 2001 before enlisting in the United States Army, where he served as a field artillery sergeant in the 10th Mountain Division. He completed two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kirkuk and Baghdad. After his honorable discharge, he enrolled at Kingsborough, earning an associate degree in biology in 2007. He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in biology from Northeastern University, a medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine, and an MBA from Long Island University.
“Returning to Kingsborough as board chair is deeply personal and meaningful,” shared Blackman. “Kingsborough was more than just a college; it was a community that believed in me, challenged me, and gave me the foundation to pursue my dream of becoming a physician.”
As a student, Blackman was active in the Honors Program, the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), and Phi Theta Kappa. “Those experiences shaped my belief that when students are given the right tools, guidance, and encouragement, they can achieve anything,” he noted.
Through CSTEP, he conducted undergraduate research and presented his work at several poster competitions with former biology professor Dr. Thomas Onorato, experiences he credits with sparking his interest in leadership, science, and mentorship.
One of his most defining experiences was representing Kingsborough on an international stage in Model United Nations, under the guidance of former vice president Dr. Reza Fakhari. “Engaging in global debates and meeting students from around the world opened my eyes to the power of communication, diplomacy, and teamwork,” he explained. “It taught me that leadership isn’t just about having a voice; it’s about using that voice to build understanding and drive change.”
Blackman said his vision as chair is to build stronger bridges between students, trustees, alumni, and the broader community to ensure that every Kingsborough student has the support, access, and opportunities needed to reach their fullest potential.
“Dr. Blackman’s devotion to Kingsborough is rooted in his own student experience. He knows what it means to be guided, encouraged, and challenged here, and now he is determined to extend that same support to every student who follows in his footsteps,” noted Vice President of Institutional Advancement Nancy Lee Sánchez-Badillo and executive director of the Kingsborough Community College Foundation. “His role as chair of the foundation board affirms that the Kingsborough experience doesn’t end at graduation — it fuels a lifetime of giving back.
Blackman’s priorities as chair include expanding opportunities for students through mentorships, scholarships, and career pathways, including internships; strengthening engagement between students and the trustees; and developing strategic partnerships with hospitals, businesses, universities, and community organizations. “In short, my priorities are to create opportunities I didn’t have as a student, strengthen the ones I did have, and to make sure that every Kingsborough student has the support, inspiration, and access they need to achieve their dreams.
“Stepping into this role feels like coming full circle. It allows me to bring together everything I’ve learned through service, education, and leadership to give back to the institution that gave me my start,” he said. “It’s not just about leading the Foundation; it’s about honoring the past, building the future, and keeping the doors of opportunity open for the next generation.”
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