Clemons is an accomplished non-profit executive with a deep passion for effecting change in the lives of marginalized communities.

City Limits, New York City’s only newsroom devoted to covering housing and community development, announced the appointment Tuesday of Gary Clemons as the organization’s new executive director. Clemons comes to City Limits from Friends of the Children New York, where he was the executive director.

“As I step into this role at City Limits, I am honored to steward the organization’s rich history of sharing untold stories and driving action,” said Clemons.

“While upholding the legacy of impactful journalism, I am committed to expanding our content, diversifying voices, and championing equity through media. In this time of change, I personally recommit myself to love and compassion, values that will guide our work as we engage and inspire our readers through innovative digital platforms,” Clemons added. “Focusing on the individuals impacted by housing issues, we aim to shed light on harmful policies, amplify community initiatives, and celebrate the diverse cultures that define our city. Together, we will pave a path into a new era of storytelling, reflecting the tapestry of New York and empowering voices that deserve to be heard.”

Marking nearly a half century of award-winning local journalism, City Limits uses investigative reporting to identify problems, examine their causes, explore solutions, and equip communities to take action. City Limits has a particular focus on housing, homelessness, community development and the environment. Founded in 1976 in the midst of New York City’s fiscal crisis,the newsroom exists to inform democracy and empower citizens to create a more just city.

“We are thrilled to welcome Gary to City Limits,” said Martha Nelson, chair of the City Limits board. “As we approach our 50th anniversary, we are even more committed to our mission of informing the public with in-depth, fact-based reporting, and Gary is the perfect leader to take that work forward. I also want to express our deep appreciation to our outgoing director, Marjorie Martay, for her leadership of City Limits.”

Clemons is an accomplished non-profit executive with a deep passion for effecting change in the lives of marginalized communities. With a proven track record of strategic leadership, fundraising, and collaborative initiatives, Gary previously tripled the budget and spearheaded organizational growth to serve more youth at Friends of the Children in New York. His expertise in marginalized populations, scaling organizations, and driving community partnerships has made him a thought leader in the field.

“Gary’s appointment marks the start of a transformative next chapter for City Limits and an opportunity to further expand our reach and impact,” said Neill Coleman, vice-chair of the City Limits board.

“For nearly 50 years City Limits has maintained high journalistic standards, focused a bright light on the most important issue of any city—to provide adequate, safe housing for its people,” Coleman added. “No other city in America has either the vast housing needs, nor the real estate resources to respond to those needs. New York City needs a team of investigative reporters dedicated to uncovering and explaining the most important housing stories in New York.”