Growing up in various South Side neighborhoods and traveling to many foreign countries instilled in this social worker and community organizer a nomadic spirit, but also a deep understanding of people.
“I was influenced by learning about the Black Power movement and the Women’s Liberation Movement.” The late Lille A. Estes, a local community advocate for the poor, also had a huge impact on Keel.
“But I have developed a racial consciousness of who I am, by being treated differently from my siblings, who present as African American, since I have albinism. Relatedly, I am visually impaired.” Keel is also queer. Holding a graduate degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University, Keel focuses on intersectional strategies to undo what some consider harmful policies that impact the lives of poor, working-class, the LGBTQIA+ community, youth and communities of color.
“The greatest challenge facing Richmond residents is housing: for renters, homeowners and efforts to demolish public housing. A city can’t kick out the working people who built the city. It will lose its soul.”
