Summary:

This episode is part of our Celebrating Black History Month podcast series where students in the Sustainable Urban Planning program at the George Washington University interview Black and African American planners and urbanists. In this episode, graduate student Ugonna Njeze interviews Lakeshia Wright, AICP, on what equitable urban planning looks like and how to support people of color in the field of urban planning. They discuss skills planners can add to their equity toolkits to promote meaningful change for minority communities. Lakeshia shares her personal journey as a woman of color in the field of urban planning, providing insights on finding joy, overcoming barriers, and using your voice.

Highlights from the Conversation:

• Career milestones

Guest Mini Bio:

• Lakeshia Wright, AICP, is an urban planner, UX researcher, and data disrupter currently working as a senior UX researcher and strategist at Happy Cog.

Learn More!

• On biases:

• 2021 American Planning Association (APA) blog: The Continued Challenges of Bias and Discrimination Within Planning Education

• APA’s Equity in Practice

• Greenlink Equity Map: Community of Practice

Credits:

• A special thanks to guest speaker Lakeshia Wright

Summary:

This episode is part of our Celebrating Black History Month podcast series where students in the Sustainable Urban Planning program at George Washington University interview Black and African American planners and urbanists. In this episode, grad student Courtney Carothers interviews alumna Allie Thompson on environmental and climate justice and the impacts on communities of color. They discuss the struggles and triumphs of being a woman of color in the field of urban planning and strategies for self-care. Allie offers powerful advice for combatting imposter syndrome and prioritizing mental health as well as the importance of finding your passion, building your network, and connecting to a mentor.   

Highlights from the Conversation:

Guest Mini Bio:

Learn More!

Learn more about Equity scores from the Climate Equity Reference Project and The USC Center for Urban Education.

Credits:

A special thanks to Allie Thompson!

Interviewer: Courtney Carothers 

Organized and Co-Produced by: Alex Davis

Intro and Outro voice: Alex Davis

Produced by: Raven Nee

Summary:

This episode is part of our Celebrating Black History Month podcast series where students in the Sustainable Urban Planning program at George Washington University interview Black and African American planners and urbanists. In this episode, graduate student Arielle Lofton interviews Desiree “Dee” Powell about her experiences in the field and how to ethically and equitable engage Black and Brown communities in placemaking. They discuss the historic inequities in urban planning and the current issues and threats to communities of color, as well as personal experiences and strategies to advocate for equity and inclusion.  From food trucks and food deserts to public speaking and software programs, Dee gives powerful advice for emerging and established planners alike, emphasizing the importance of listening.

Highlights from the Conversation:

• Urban Design

Guest Mini Bio:

• Desire Powell is an urban planner, urban designer, and place maker working for the city of Port Arthur, Texas.

• She earned her Master of Community and Regional Planning from University of Texas at Arlington College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.

• Check out the MLK Food Project

• Learn more about the Better Block Foundation here!

• The Paul Quinn College transformed a football field into an organic farm to address food insecurity for underserved communities.

Learn More!

• Read a Modern Cities editorial Dee wrote in 2020: Walking the Racial Equity Walk

• A space activation non-profit in Houston, Texas.

• Public Speaking, ArcGIS, Sketchup, and Adobe or other graphic design software. 

Credits:

A special thanks to Desiree D. Powell. Voice, research, and interview credits to: Arielle Lofton and Alex Davis. Intro and Outro voice: Alex Davis. Produced by: Raven Nee.

In this episode, Raven Nee and Helen Solomon interview Mathew Clarke, the director at the Design Trust for Public Land. They discuss equity and community engagement, as well as the underlying power dynamics that shape traditional modes of engagement. They break down the historic paradigms and challenge the meaning of community engagement. They discuss a park in Wenatchee, Washington as an example of building community power and the unexpected outcomes that come from a participatory and equitable process. Tune in to hear more about equitable community engagement in parks!

Highlights from the Conversation:

• Equitable community engagement

Guest Mini Bio:

• Matthew Clarke is the current Executive Director at the Design Trust for Public Space and former National Director of Creative Placemaking at the Trust for Public Land. 

• As an architect and planner he advocates for the development of diverse public spaces and equitable communities

Learn More!

• Check out the case study from Wenatchee, Washington

• Kiwanis Methow Park Project  

• 11th Street Bridge Park

Credits:

A special thanks to Mathew Clarke. Voice, research, and interview credits to: Raven Nee and Helen Solomon. Intro and Outro voice: Alex Davis. Produced by: Raven Nee. 

In this episode, Mel Pennett and Alex Davis interview Bates McKinney to talk about inclusive programming for older adults. They discuss equity in access and the needs of senior citizens and how to create programming that keeps elderly adults active and engaged both  mentally and physically. The importance of community and social connection (especially during a pandemic) reveals how central community centers are for keeping individuals healthy and socially engaged. Tune in to hear the whole conversation.

Highlights from the Conversation:

• Urban Planning and Park Equity

Guest Mini Bio:

• Bates McKinney works at Spartanburg County Park; designing programming for people who are aged 50 and older. Her background is in psychology and has extensive experience working with people with dementia. Seniors are her passion!

Learn More!

• Learn more about social inclusion from the World Health Organization

Credits:

Special thanks to guest Bates McKinney. Voice, research, and interview credits to Alex Davis and Mel Pennett. Intro and Outro voice: Alex Davis. Produced by: Raven Nee. 

In this episode, Joy McFadden and Garrett Johnson interview Maija Spencer who works for Portland Parks and Recreation as the parks replacement bond community engagement coordinator. They discuss how parks engage communities and develop cultural competency in a meaningful way to create more inclusive and representative parks, including how to learn from a city’s history to honor overlooked heroes. Tune in to hear the whole conversation!

Highlights from the Conversation:

• Urban Planning and Park Equity.

Guest Mini Bio:

• Maija Spencer has worked with the city of Portland for 10 years. As a community engagement coordinator, she emphasizes community experiences and equity. Check out her work as the community bond engagement coordinator for the Parks Replacement Bond Program. Learn more about her work on the Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park Playground Project that helped inspire this episode.

Learn More!

• Video about the Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park 

Credits:

Special thanks to guest Maija Spencer. Research, concept, and voices: Joy McFadden and Garrett Johnson. Intro and Outro voice: Alex Davis. Produced by: Raven Nee. 

In this episode, Helen Solomon and Raven Nee interview  the director of the National Charrette Institute, Holly Madill, on the charrette process and how it is used for community engagement. They discuss designing and defining equitable community engagement, how to measure success, how to prevent underrepresented communities from being left out of planning processes, and explore in depth how a charrette framework helps create an equitable and inclusive outcome. Tune in to hear more about what goes into a charette and how it can be used in park planning!

Highlights from the Conversation:

• Urban planning and park equity

Guest Mini Bio:

• Holly Madill is the director of the National Charrette Institute at Michigan State University
  

• She trains working professionals on charrette methodology as well as in engagement and facilitation

Learn More!

• What is a charrette? From the World Bank

Credits:

Special thanks to Holly Madill. Research, concept, and voices: Raven Nee and Helen Solomon. Intro and Outro voice: Alex Davis. Produced by: Raven Nee. 

In this episode, Joy McFadden and Garrett Johnson interview Kyra Gmoser-Daskalakis and Britta McOmber who wrote a report on park usership for the Santa Monica National Park. They discuss the importance of understanding the diverse backgrounds  and needs of park goers and the various barriers that prevent lower income residents from utilizing and enjoying parks and open space. Tune in to hear the full conversation on the importance of access and representation!

Highlights from the Conversation:

• Urban Planning and Park Equity

Guest Mini Bio:

• Kyra Gmoser-Daskalakis is a PhD student at UC Davis
  

• She previously worked for the UCLA Luskin Center doing research on water equity, affordability, and park access and equity

• She has a background in geography and regional urban planning

Learn More!

• Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area
  

• Is the largest urban national park system in the country

• The report that inspired this interview

• The briefing paper that breaks down the above report

Credits:  

Special thanks to Kyra Gmoser-Daskalakis and Britta McOmber. Research, concept, and voices: Garrett Johnson and Joy McFadden. Intro and Outro voice: Alex Davis. Produced by: Raven Nee. 

In this episode, Mel Pennett and Alex Davis interview Madeline Brozen on aspects of park equity and making parks inclusive for seniors.  Madeline is the Deputy Director of the UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies at the Luskin School of Public Affairs  and co-wrote a report detailing guidelines for making inclusive parks for elderly and aging populations. They discuss the importance of design, perception, and the surrounding demographics to make parks inclusive, equitable, and fun places for not just the elderly, but everyone! 

Highlights from the Conversation:

• Urban Planning and Park Equity

• Race, Ethnicity, Language, Age, Ability, Cognitive Ability, Physical Mobility, and other identity attributes can contribute to feelings of exclusion.

Guest Mini Bio:

• Madeline Brozen has a background in Transportation Planning
  

• Previously focused on complete Streets

• Her Institute of Transportation Studies bio is here

Learn More!

• Case study parks: Golden Age Park in Los Angeles, California, Portland Memory Garden, in Portland, Oregon.

• Placemaking for an Aging Population: Guidelines for Senior-Friendly Parks

• A Wellness Playground for Elders

• An outdoor oasis for Angelenos in their golden years

Credits:

Special thanks to Madeline Brozen. Research, concept, and voices: Alex Davis and Mel Pennett. Intro and Outro voice: Alex Davis. Produced by: Raven Nee.