This site is focused on my campaign for ANC Commissioner in DC, so it might seem strange for a post about New Orleans. But I wanted to share briefly with you all an incredible experience I had at a conference for urban leaders. It will inform the work I do as Commissioner in 1B12.
Next City is a non profit that publishes stories about positive urban change around the country. Every year, they host a conference called Vanguard, with top young leaders from around the world. This year, I was honored to be invited to attend Vanguard — one of 40 selected from a pool of over 500. Vanguards are advocates, policymakers, scholars, entrepreneurs, artists and more. They are change-makers who are realizing a better future for their city.
This experience reinforced my belief in community-driven development and urban change. Our central task was to generate ideas for the Claiborne Corridor Cultural Innovation District. This non-profit is raising money to transform Claiborne Avenue, a thriving black neighborhood that was destroyed by a six-lane elevated highway. A combination of federal, state, and local actors caused the highway to run straight down Claiborne Avenue, condemning more than 300 black-owned businesses and accelerating disinvestment. (Imagine if a highway was run straight down U Street — which, of course, almost happened.)
A transportation planner’s first instinct would likely be to remove the highway, opening up land. But the CCID engaged with the community and learned that they did not want the highway torn down — because it would lead to gentrification and displacement. Instead, the CCID created a visionary plan, to reactivate the space beneath the interstate with parks, art, play areas, gathering spaces, shops and more.
The keynote speaker was B-mike, an activist and artist who shared his story and philosophy with us in his studio. (See the image above.) The Vanguard group visited New Orleans’ waterfront, its bikeshare garage, and historic buildings rehabbed for new use. We heard from the head of the creative arts high school, community leaders, New Orleans data experts, and more.
The conference culminated in the Big Idea Workshop. We broke into groups and developed proposals for the Claiborne Corridor in six key areas: Economic Development, Transportation, Environmental Sustainability, Healthy & Safe Communities, Affordable Housing, and Cultural Preservation.
The ideas were incredibly well-developed and carefully presented, even after just a few hours of group work. As part of the Economic Development group, we proposed ideas like a geographically-focused CDFI, and an employment program for the nearby health industry cluster. Listening to the other groups, I considered what it would mean for U Street to have community health centers or a bus rapid transit line with bus stops that functioned as hubs for mobility options.
But the best part of the conference was the extraordinary group of people. With every conversation, I was inspired to do more to help the city. My invitation to this conference came before I decided to run for ANC — so I’m especially thrilled to have the experience, which taught me so much about how to lead in cities, especially amidst changing neighborhoods and systemic pressures.
