Ari Kagan is the Council Member representing Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Gravesend, and Sea Gate. Kagan emigrated with his family from Belarus to New York in 1993. He worked tirelessly during the day to support his family and took English language classes at night. Additionally, Kagan is a proud product of CUNY as he attended and graduated from Baruch College.
Ari is a successful local journalist turned dedicated public servant. For 21 years, Kagan hosted a radio and TV show, reporting on tenants and immigrants rights, as well as civic awareness. His reporting on important local matters transformed into a platform to advocate and lead on local issues that mattered most to his community. As a reporter, he wanted to do more for constituents than highlight their stories. Ari is a son of Holocaust survivors and he always fights against hate, bigotry, racism, and anti-Semitism. He served on multiple boards for charitable organizations and then worked with Congressman Michael McMahon, Comptrollers John Liu and Scott Stringer, and Council Member Mark Treyger.
Ari’s roots in the district run deep. Kagan helped secure relief payments for Coney Island residents in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. And at the beginning of the COVID-19 health crisis, he helped constituents across zip codes in the 47th District obtain unemployment benefits, hosted food drives, coordinated private donations for Coney Island Hospital essential workers, delivered meals to those in need, and distributed masks and PPE to local businesses. Ari continues to use his journalism and radio background to reach constituents to highlight community events and important local news.
Ari Kagan is a Gravesend resident, husband and father who is committed to improving public safety, securing a just and equitable pandemic recovery, preserving and expanding Gifted and Talented programs, advocating for seniors and people with disabilities, and repairing the historic Coney Island Boardwalk.
Biography – Ari Kagan (nyc.gov)
