"Ball is a busy guy. In addition to his new role, he is president of the Bayview Merchant's Association and a relentless booster for the small businesses of the Third Street corridor, like Radio Africa Kitchen and All Good Pizza. He caters community events all across the neighborhood, slinging gumbo at a glass-blowing studio one day and a birthday party for someone's 84 year-old grandmother the next. He's garnered some local celebrity: He's appeared on countless podcasts, and even The Kelly Clarkson show."
"But when Ball received the call from Mayor Daniel Lurie, asking if he was interested in being on the commission, he admits he was a bit surprised. Ball doesn't consider himself a "political person," he said. All other commissioners on the board, which serves as an oversight and advisory body for the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, have extensive experience in policy or homelessness advocacy."
Kevin Ball serves as a new commissioner on San Francisco's Homelessness Oversight Board while simultaneously leading the Bayview Merchant's Association and promoting Third Street businesses. Ball operates Gumbo Social and has catered across the neighborhood, gaining local visibility through podcasts and national TV appearances. The mayor appointed Ball despite his limited background in formal policy or homelessness advocacy, reflecting a pattern of selecting political newcomers. Ball opened his first brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2023 after serving gumbo at farmers markets following pandemic layoffs. Gumbo Social sits on Third Street between a hardware store and an empty parking lot.
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