Jon Kest, the founder of the organizing group New York Communities for Change, a widely respected political strategist and a friend and adviser to the UFT, died of cancer in 2012. His home borough of Brooklyn has renamed a downtown street in his honor. The block of Nevins Street coming off Flatbush Avenue is now Jon Kest Way. At an Oct. 25 ceremony unveiling the new street sign, UFT President Michael Mulgrew recalled the many times he sought out Kest’s opinions and ideas. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who owed his victory in part to Kest’s political acumen, also spoke at the outdoor ceremony, which was emceed by actress and activist Cynthia Nixon and attended by some 100 of Kest’s family, friends and supporters. His widow, Fran Streich, is the UFT’s Manhattan parent and community liaison. Speaking with their son, Jake, at her side, Streich remembered Kest’s devotion to the work of elevating and empowering low-income New Yorkers to fight for their schools and communities. Kest also helped found the Working Families Party. At the time of his death, he was formulating what were to become highly successful organizing campaigns of fast-food and car-wash workers.