Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz to become first Black woman appointed as deputy leader of Islington Council

Islington Councillor Kaya Comer-Schwartz is set to make history this month when she is appointed as deputy leader of the council – the first Black woman to take the role in the borough.

Cllr Comer-Schwartz, who was born and raised in the borough, said: “I am immensely proud to be taking the role of Deputy Leader in a borough that I have such a deep, lifelong connection with.

“Islington is a wonderfully diverse borough, but I know that many in our community face profound challenges and injustice. As a woman of African heritage, it’s both a huge privilege and responsibility to serve Islington and help shape its future.

“I remain determined to fight to end inequality and injustice. I'm passionate about improving opportunities for local people – especially our children and young people – and making Islington the best possible place to grow up, live and work in.

“Over the years I have seen many changes in Islington. Despite more than a decade of cuts to public services, I’m proud to have taken an active role in making it a fairer place for everyone, both as a local councillor since 2013 and more recently as Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families.”

As Deputy Leader of Islington Council, Cllr Comer-Schwartz will be responsible for deputising for the Leader of Islington Council whenever they are unavailable.

An Islington councillor since 2013, Cllr Comer-Schwartz has spent five years on the Executive, first leading the Community Development portfolio before moving on to her current role as Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families in January 2019.

Cllr Comer-Schwartz’s additional appointment as Deputy Leader was made by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Richard Watts, and follows the decision of Cllr Janet Burgess to step down after seven years in the role and a decade on the Executive. The appointment will be noted at the Annual Council meeting on September 24.

Cllr Comer-Schwartz’s professional background is in the charitable sector, having worked for the Centre for Mental Health, Shelter and World Jewish Relief. She is currently Chair of Islington’s Youth Justice and Corporate Parenting Boards, and sits on London Councils’ Crime & Community Safety and Children’s Leads Committees, the Dame Alice Owen Foundation Advisory Group, and is a member of the Archway Town Centre Business Group.