Karen Harvey was born and raised in Philadelphia, and is a retired social worker. After facing homelessness, she has been vocal in her support for tenants' rights as an organizer with the Philadelphia Tenants Union, and is currently the Campaign Director of the Philadelphia Rent Control Coalition. Harvey leads with her story to encourage change in current systems, and has co-taught Tenants Rights and Organizing as an UnMapping Co-Instructor with Stephanie Dorenbosch in 2023-24, and 2024-25.