About Steven Brown | Austin City Council District 1

Steven Brown

I was born and raised right here in East Austin — a lifelong resident of District 1. I attended Norman Elementary, Blanton Elementary, Maplewood Elementary, Kealing Middle School, and LBJ High School, and graduated from Austin Community College, Huston-Tillotson University, and Texas State University, where I'm currently pursuing my Master of Science degree.

I was raised by my loving parents and great-grandmother, and I've raised my two sons here as well. I know firsthand the challenges families face in Austin today — whether it's rising costs, access to affordable housing, or feeling unheard by local government.

For over 20 years, I've served Austin as a trusted healthcare professional, working with people from all walks of life to solve complex problems. That experience taught me the power of teamwork, empathy, and accountability — values I will bring to the Austin City Council.

Proven Community Advocate Track Record

I'm no stranger to standing up to City Hall for what's right. But I also know how to work across the aisle to get things done.

Reforming City Hiring

In 2013, I supported a discrimination case against the City to improve hiring practices for minority applicants within the Austin Fire Department. That fight for fairer and more accountable city employment practices helped bring about long-lasting reforms within the department.

Protecting Historical Preservation

I'm a strong advocate for racial and historical justice. In 2021, I joined the working group raising awareness of Barton Springs' history of segregation and honoring the civil rights legacy of Joan Means, who helped put a stop to it. Our advocacy efforts were successful, and in April 2022, the Barton Springs Bathhouse was renamed the Joan Means Khabele Bathhouse.

Fight for Public Health Access

In 2020, I worked with the City to establish an Austin Public Health neighborhood COVID-19 testing site at Givens District Park. The walk-up site made testing accessible by foot, bike, public transit, or car for East Austin residents — predominantly Black and Latino communities facing disproportionate pandemic impacts. The site remained in operation through December 2020, bringing a critical public health resource closer to District 1.

Defending Affordability

Beginning in 2023, I started raising early concerns about the lack of transparency around the HOME initiative through my advocacy on the Givens Park Advisory Board and with local East Side churches. In 2024, I spoke at City Hall against HOME Phases 1 and 2. In 2025, I opposed Proposition Q, standing with District 1 residents who felt it moved too quickly without enough time, outreach, or clear information for the communities most affected.

Givens Park Advisory Board Member

In 2019, I helped establish the Givens Park Advisory Board to ensure East Austin residents had a meaningful voice in the park's future. We have worked with the City to advocate for community priorities, including a new pool, upgraded playgrounds, and multipurpose fields. In June 2026, I testified before the Austin Parks and Recreation Board to urge funding for the reopening of Givens Recreation Center and its historic community kitchen. They said no, which has led to launching my "Reopen Givens Kitchen" petition, because the kitchen is not just an amenity — it is a vital cultural space for food access, community gathering, and neighborhood power.