Keisha Gatison

Meet Keisha Gatison: Candidate for North Haven Zoning Board of Appeals

Keisha Gatison is a proven leader, attorney, and community advocate with over two decades of experience in law, strategic planning, and community development. She brings a unique blend of legal expertise, municipal collaboration, and dedication to equity that will serve the Zoning Board of Appeals — and the residents of North Haven — with integrity and vision.

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A graduate of Hampton University (B.A. in Psychology) and Duquesne University School of Law (J.D.), Keisha began her career as an attorney, successfully representing clients in family law, criminal defense, special education, housing, and employment discrimination cases. Her legal work has included representing dozens of students in special education matters and advocating for individuals facing workforce and housing discrimination.

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Keisha previously served as Director of Project M.O.R.E.’s Reentry Welcome Center in New Haven, where she led a 9-person team, managed budgets for nine grant programs, and quadrupled the organization’s budget through successful fundraising. She collaborated with over 30 service providers, develops strategic plans, and advocated for equitable policies at the state level. Currently she runs a new nonprofit www.crrime.com and she contracts with individuals who are starting or expanding nonprofit organizations. 

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Her civic contributions include co-founding the North Haven Equity Coalition in 2020, partnering with the City of New Haven on violence prevention initiatives, and merging the North Haven Special Education Association with the PTA to expand access to resources. Keisha has also served as an adjunct professor at Gateway Community College, inspiring students to think critically about the criminal justice system.

With deep experience in stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and community advocacy, Keisha understands how to navigate complex regulations and balance competing interests. On the Zoning Board of Appeals, she will bring a fair, thoughtful, and solutions-oriented approach to decisions that shape North Haven’s growth and character.