On February 3, 2024, Author Amy Cohen hosted a lively book talk with urban historian and former University of Pennsylvania Provost Wendell Pritchett to celebrate the launch of her book. I was honored to give one of the two blurbs on the book which was released in December 2023.
Scholar
Featured in Penn Today Article: “Design and build, but first, collaborate“
In a Penn Today article detailing a design-build studio at the Weitzman School of Design, my role as the director of Justice & Belonging was highlighted. The Spring 2023 studio built on a course I led the previous spring, which focused on developing the identity of a Black cultural district in a part of West Philadelphia that straddles Lancaster Avenue. This initiative aimed to engage with the community to shape a cultural district that reflects and amplifies the rich Black heritage of the area.
The design-build studio faced an aggressive timeline, with the entire process—from site selection and community engagement to design and construction—being completed within a single semester. This challenging but rewarding experience underscored the importance of integrating community voices into urban design and construction processes, ensuring that the resulting spaces are meaningful and reflective of the local culture.
READ: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/weitzman-design-and-build-first-collaborate
Profiled and Quoted by U.S. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
In an article by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), my appointment as the 21st Century Leaders Fellow was highlighted, focusing on my work to advance equity in historic preservation. The fellowship, which is part of ACHP’s efforts to bring diverse perspectives into the field, will allow me to work on projects that ensure historically marginalized communities are recognized and represented in preservation efforts.
During my fellowship, I will be developing strategies to integrate equity into the preservation of historic sites, particularly those that have been overlooked or undervalued due to their association with Black and other minority communities. The ACHP article emphasized my role in shaping the future of historic preservation by bringing attention to the cultural significance of these sites and advocating for their inclusion in national preservation narratives.
READ https://www.achp.gov/news/21st-century-leaders-fellow-will-focus-equity-historic-preservation-2023
Quoted in Philadelphia Inquirer Series “The Blueprint” on Equitable Street Design
In a Philadelphia Inquirer article discussing the future of urban planning in Philadelphia, I was quoted sharing my vision for what I call “Sankofa planning,” an approach that uses Black history as a guide for shaping the city’s future. As a professor and director of Justice and Belonging Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania, I emphasized the importance of integrating Black culture into the city’s streetscape, asking, “How can the binoculars of Black culture make its way out into the streetscape?”
I envision urban design elements like stoops for gathering, and iconography and signage that invite exploration of Black heritage. With Philadelphia restarting its comprehensive urban design plan, I see this as an opportunity to reset the city on an antiracist foundation. Serving as a member of the Philadelphia Art Commission, I believe this is a pivotal moment to expand the concept of “what deserves to be planned around and what deserves to be planned for,” ensuring that the city’s future design is inclusive and reflective of its diverse communities.
READ: https://www.inquirer.com/news/inq2/more-perfect-union-city-planning-inequality-parks-transit-water-20221206.html?outputType=default
