In 2018, I was profiled by The Philadelphia Tribune, where the article highlights various aspects of my academic and professional journey, as well as personal reflections shared by my family, friends, and colleagues.
In the article, my mother, Debra Miller, recounts the moment when I was accepted into Stanford University, fulfilling a vision my grandmother had for me when I was just a child. She reflects on how that acceptance marked a significant first in our family, with me becoming the first to attend college. My academic path eventually led me to earn a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Development from the University of Southern California, where my dissertation focused on “The Geography of Black Commerce and Culture: Los Angeles and Beyond.”
My colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania also shared their thoughts in the profile. Lisa Servon, Professor and Chair of the City and Regional Planning Department, emphasized how my work in creative placemaking adds depth to the department’s focus on equity. Vincent Reina, my postdoctoral adviser, noted that my varied methodology is a strong fit for PennDesign’s interdisciplinary program. In the spring, I’ll be teaching a course called “Place, Taste, and Urban Change,” which, as I explained in the article, explores “who has the power to define what is good design and good livable standards for people.”
The profile also touches on some of the challenges I’ve faced in academia. My time at MIT included moments of racial insensitivity that were difficult to navigate, and while at USC, a professor remarked that I “wrote well for an African American,” highlighting the ongoing need for diversity in faculty roles. Despite these challenges, I’m proud of the supportive environment I’ve found at Penn, where I’ve been able to continue my work without facing those same barriers.
Overall, the article captures both the accomplishments and the challenges of my journey, underscoring the importance of representation and leadership within academia and urban planning.
READ HERE: https://bit.ly/BlackScholarMakesMark-MJMTribune
