Polymath

Featured in New York Times as “Ideal Candidate”

in

The New York Times featured an article on the wedding of Malcolm Kenyatta and me, Matthew Jordan-Miller Kenyatta, celebrating our union and the journey that brought us together. The article detailed our relationship, from our first meeting to our engagement, and finally, our wedding ceremony held in Philadelphia.

In the article, I shared, “It was love at first sight,” reflecting on the moment I first met Malcolm. The piece also captured the love and commitment we share, with Malcolm describing me as “the most thoughtful person I’ve ever met,” emphasizing the deep connection that led to our marriage.

Our wedding was more than just a personal milestone; it was also a historic moment, particularly as Malcolm, a Pennsylvania State Representative, and I are both public figures committed to advocacy and social justice. The ceremony, attended by close family and friends, was a powerful symbol of love and equality. I expressed, “This is the best day of my life,” highlighting the joy and significance of our union.

The article also touched on our individual achievements and how we continue to support each other in our careers and public lives. Our wedding was portrayed as a testament to the progress made in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, with our relationship standing as an example of love triumphing over adversity.

READ: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/04/style/malcolm-kenyatta-matthew-miller-wedding.html

Featured in Philadelphia Magazine: “What If Urbanists Ran the City?”

in , , , ,

In the Philadelphia Magazine article titled “What If Urbanists Ran the City?” I was featured as part of a discussion on innovative approaches to urban design and public engagement. The article highlighted two of my ideas: rethinking public art and gamifying zoning reform.

I proposed that instead of spending large sums on one-off art installations that may become outdated — like the Rizzo and Columbus statues — we could create an “Urban StoryCorps.” This initiative would involve installing and programming interactive media in neighborhoods, similar to Eastern State Penitentiary’s “Hidden Lives Illuminated” or Michelle Angela Ortiz’s recent projection in the Italian Market. The goal would be to ensure that monuments evolve with demographic diversity and that neighborhoods have a say in how they’re represented.

I also addressed the often inaccessible nature of Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment meetings, describing them as “forensic focus groups, tokenist therapy sessions, or sideshows for the charismatic naysayers… cloistered and jargon-filled and inhospitable to casual observers and everyday people.” To make these processes more engaging and democratic, I suggested turning to gamification. By transforming these meetings into online workshops that are free and productive, we can engage the everyday people who live with the outcomes of these decisions. I noted that urban planning games like SIM-PHL, currently being developed by Drexel University with support from the Knight Foundation, have the potential to democratize and energize public participation in urban planning.

READ: https://www.phillymag.com/news/philadelphia-urbanists/