Toni L. Griffin of Harvard delivers the inaugural Abele Lecture in Design & Policy. Named for the trailblazing 20th-century architect Julian Francis Abele, the first Black graduate of what is today the Weitzman School of Design, the Abele Lecture is moderated by Matthew Kenyatta and organized by the Black Planners Society. Griffin will discuss connecting design with spatial and social (in)justices across American legacy cities. A reception will follow.

Photo of Matthew Kenyatta and Toni Griffin during the 2024 Julian Abele Lecture

Matthew Kenyatta, urban planner and design justice advocate, in conversation with renowned urbanist Toni Griffin, discussing equitable city planning at the Julian Abele Lecture, hosted by the Black Planners Society at the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design.

Digital poster promoting the event

Panoramic view of the Kleinman Energy Forum within the Fisher Fine Arts Library as attendees take their seats.

Matthew Kenyatta joyfully moderates discussion with Toni Griffin at the Kleinman Center – Dr. Matthew Kenyatta, Weitzman School of Design lecturer, moderating a dialogue with Toni Griffin on Black urbanism and social equity in design during the 2024 Julian Abele Lecture at the Kleinman Energy Forum.

Toni Griffin presenting lessons on equity justice during the Abele Lecture

Toni Griffin discusses "7 Lessons on Equity Justice" in urban design while being hosted by Matthew Kenyatta for the 2024 Julian Abele Lecture at the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design.

Group photograph with Toni Griffin and Dr. Matt Kenyatta and the student leaders - namely Trevian Ambroisie who introduced the speakers - of the Black Planners Society Board.

Matthew Kenyatta and Toni Griffin smiling at the 2024 Julian Abele Lecture event

Urban design scholars Dr. Matthew Kenyatta and Toni Griffin pose together after an insightful session on justice and equity in urban planning at the Black Planners Society's Julian Abele Lecture.

Toni Griffin's selfie with the group of students and faculty.

The inaugural Abele Lecture in Design & Policy at the University of Pennsylvania will be an evening fireside chat with Professor Toni L. Griffin and moderated by Dr. Matthew Kenyatta. Named for the trailblazing 20th-century architect Julian Francis Abele (BArch1902), the Abele Lecture explores ongoing conversations and trends in the design world by centering the voices of Black practitioners and other practitioners of color. 

The evening's conversation will center on connecting design with spatial and social (in)justices across American legacy cities. We aim for the evening to be framed through understanding issues intersecting policy and design with reimaginative and reparative visions.

Toni L. Griffin is a Professor in the Practice of urban planning at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, leads The Just City Lab, and has spoken across the US & World. She is also the founder of urbanAC, a planning firm that leads complex, transdisciplinary planning and urban design projects for multi-sector clients in cities with long histories of spatial and social injustice. Ms. Griffin received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame and a Loeb Fellowship from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She has also worked for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Anacostia Waterfront Corporation, DC Office of Planning, the City of Newark, & the City College of New York. 

The Lecture will conclude with a reception to continue the conversation between attendees. Although design-centered, the Lecture is open to the public. 

Organized by the Black Planners Society. Co-sponsored by the Weitzman School of Design, American Planning Association - Planning in the Black Community Division, Center for the Preservation of Civil Rights Sites, and the Departments of Architecture, Historic Preservation, and City Planning.