Innovation
Other projects that offer similar approaches include Matthew Jordan-Miller Kenyatta’s The Museum of Hidden Genius: An Atlas of Afrotech, which chronicles the technologies developed by Black inventors, and the Sacred Red Rock Project, focused on returning a boulder sacred to the Kaw Nation back to its people in Kansas.
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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
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
Business Equality Magazine recognized me as one of their “40 Under 40” honorees, highlighting my work and impact as an academic and urbanist. The article delves into my background, noting my Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Development, and my commitment to advancing equity through urban design, historic preservation, and cultural engagement.
The feature emphasizes my role as the director of Justice & Belonging Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design, where I lead efforts to integrate equity and social justice into urban planning and design. It also discusses my work on projects like the creation of a Black cultural district in West Philadelphia and my involvement with the Philadelphia Art Commission, where I advocate for more inclusive public spaces that reflect the city’s diverse communities.
The magazine highlighted my passion for leveraging urban planning as a tool for social change, using my academic and professional platforms to amplify historically marginalized voices. The recognition as one of the “40 Under 40” underscores the impact of my work and my commitment to creating more equitable and inclusive urban environments.
READ: https://businessequalitymagazine.com/40under40/matt-jordan-miller-ph-d/
