Okeysha Brooks-Coley

Okeysha “Keysha” Yashica Brooks-Coley 

December 5, 1975 – March 15, 2025 

Bowie, Maryland

Okeysha “Keysha” Yashica Brooks-Coley was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 5, 1975. A woman of deep faith, she saw the beauty of life, greeting each day with joy and embracing life’s challenges with unwavering grace. Her life is a testament to her love—for family, service, and the causes she championed.

Keysha graduated from Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Maryland, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political Science from Towson University. She was later selected as a Bryce Harlow Fellow and received a Master’s in Political Management from George Washington University, where she was subsequently honored with the inaugural Trailblazers in Politics award, recognizing diverse alumni of the Graduate School of Political Management who have made significant contributions to politics. Her passion for public service shaped her 25-year career, encompassing work on Capitol Hill, nonprofit leadership, and corporate advocacy.

Keysha’s professional journey began on Capitol Hill, where she gained deep, extensive policy experience. She served in a dual role as a professional staff member on the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Retirement Security and Aging and on the Majority staff for Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD). Her policy responsibilities span a wide range of issues, focusing on women’s health, public health, biomedical research, health disparities, and Health and Human Services Appropriations. Before joining the committee staff, Keysha was a legislative assistant for Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH) in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she worked on healthcare, aging, and education policy. She was well-regarded on the Hill for her professionalism and collegial spirit, earning the admiration of colleagues from both sides of the aisle.

After her tenure on the Hill, Keysha became a nonprofit advocate and lobbyist, committed to fostering a more just and equitable healthcare system. She served as Vice President of Federal Advocacy and Strategic Alliances at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), where she led the organization’s engagement with Congress and the Administration and its Judicial Advocacy Initiative. She directed strategic alliances with patient and provider organizations. Keysha championed implementing the landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) and worked throughout her career to ensure everyone had access to coverage and care. She proudly chaired the Patient Quality of Life Coalition (PQLC), representing over 40 organizations advocating for policies that improve palliative care, healthcare value, and quality. Keysha also worked tirelessly to pass the Palliative Care Education, Research, and Training Act. Her policy acumen was unsurpassed; her efforts and advocacy resulted in federal funding and support for programs to help women gain access to breast and cervical cancer screening. One of Keysha’s proudest moments came in 2021 when she led historic first steps toward health equity policy on behalf of ACS CAN. On World Cancer Day during Black History Month, the Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act was signed into law—a landmark she helped bring to fruition. The law required the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study barriers to participation in federally funded cancer clinical trials by underrepresented populations, a critical step toward improving access and equity in cancer research.

Keysha’s career journey culminated in a leadership position at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), where she served as Vice President of Advocacy. She led the Association’s advocacy team, fostering strong relationships between BCBSA and Congress, the Administration, national and state organizations, and external partners. In this capacity, she was responsible for all of BCBSA’s lobbying and political strategy—covering federal and state relations, grassroots campaigns, field operations, coalition-building, and the political action committee—advancing priorities focused on affordability and equity in healthcare. Recently, Keysha worked to preserve enhanced premium tax credits as part of the ACA tax provisions to ensure accessible healthcare coverage for individuals. Her passion for health advocacy remained strong. She took great pride in co-leading a data equity initiative with the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF), bringing together patient groups, social change organizations, and provider constituencies to improve data standards and representation. This effort led to BCBSA receiving the 2024 Booker T. Washington Award for corporate leadership and promoting wellness in emerging populations.

Keysha’s impact rose to the highest levels of leadership in patient advocacy and access communities. She was most deserving of the notable recognition as one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists in 2023 and 2024. She also enthusiastically participated in the Steering Committee for the exclusive Health on Wednesday (HOW) network and served as a Women in Government Relations (WGR) member. Yet these accolades do not begin to capture her full contributions to the healthcare delivery system, which will benefit all for years to come.

Although Keysha had many professional accomplishments, she always said her greatest achievement was her loving family. The remarkable family bond served as the heart and foundation of her life. Keysha witnessed the outpouring of love demonstrated by her late grandparents, Jacob and Estelle (Jackson) Logan. In 2002, she married her life partner, Derrick, and together, they created a beautiful life while raising their four children: Julia, Marshall, Henry, and Claira. She adored her children, and her love for them illuminated every aspect of her life.

As the chief planner for social events, outings, and celebrations, Keysha ensured her family created lasting and joyful memories. Whether organizing dinner outings, Friday movie nights, sports teams, or family vacations, she devoted her heart and energy to enhancing their experiences. She loved everything related to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, from leading the charge in making s’mores during camping trips to cheering the loudest at Pinewood Derbies. She also enjoyed selling Girl Scout cookies to support her daughters’ troop fundraiser efforts. Some of her favorite weekends were spent on the sidelines watching her children play recreational team sports. The family vacations meant the world to her with uninterrupted attention and enrichment activities. Keysha was a true “Maryland girl” with annual trips to Ocean City, Maryland, and visits to historical and natural sites like Peanut Island in Florida. She deeply valued the annual Jackson and Coley family reunions, which brought generations together and provided her children with treasured opportunities to connect with family.

Keysha was raised in Pasadena, Maryland, where she immersed herself in church and school activities, consistently participating in plays, music recitals, and ministry work. A devoted lifelong member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Hanover, MD, she faithfully served on the Usher Board and in the higher education ministry. While at St. Mark’s, she founded the Nursery Ministry to support young families. Recently, Keysha and her family joined Faith Temple No.2 Original Free Will Baptist Church in Capitol Heights, MD under the leadership of Bishop LaVaughn Hughes, Sr. It was a full circle moment since this is her husband Derrick’s family church and the first church he introduced Keysha to while they were dating. She was excited to have found a church home where her entire family could worship together in faith and love.

In the community, Keysha was a proud Silver Star soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omicron Gamma Omega Chapter in Glen Burnie, MD. She was actively involved in the Political Action Committee, offering guidance to enhance advocacy on significant social justice and civic issues.

Keysha remained faithful until the end, facing her battle with cancer with strength, grace, and determination. A fierce warrior, she leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, joy, and kindness. She is survived by her devoted husband, Derrick; her beloved children, Julia, Marshall, Henry, and Claira; her loving parents, Michael and Francesca Brooks of Pasadena, MD; her mother-in-law, Doretha Coley of Capitol Heights, MD; father-in-law, Derrick Sauls (Vera) of Raleigh, NC; one brother-in-law Shiloh Sauls of Atlanta, GA; three sisters-in-law Yasmin Odunukwe of Elkridge, MD, Xelandria Sauls of Raleigh, NC and Shaliese Sherrell of Durham, NC and grandmother-in-law Beatrice Sauls of Boston, MA and a host of relatives and friends. Grandparents who preceded her in death : Jacob and Estelle Logan and Excell and Julia Brooks. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for the countless lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the following in Keysha’s Honor:

Tiger Lily Foundation

https://tigerlilyfoundation.org/

- Or -

You can contribute to the Coley Children Scholarships below:

Mail checks to: Meehan & Roby Accounting Firm

9515 Deereco Road

Suite 810

Timonium, MD 21903

Attn: Mr. Keith Lister

Payable to: Brooks-Coley Family 529 College Fund

Memo line: Ugift - Maryland College Investment Plan