Seeing Richard Florida speak at CNU 20 last month, all I could think about was one thing and one thing only: He rated Greensboro, which in addition to being my current city is my hometown, 41 of 49 in his original list of large creative class cities. No, it’s not the bottom of the barrel, … Continue reading The Real Failure of the Creative Class Is the Fear of Failure
I’ve wanted to do this for a while, but came up with all kinds of excuses. No more. Even if this is just a public way for me to clear my thoughts on a few articles that have come past my inbox, news feed and stream, then here it is. However, before I launch in … Continue reading The Thursday List: News and Views for the Week of May 21, 2012
Last week, I presented the case on Killing the Civic Inferiority Complex at CNU 20. I also released a companion e-book. It is part picture book of my hometown of Greensboro, NC and part self-help book for those who are having serious issues with the municipality they reside in. All of it is my case … Continue reading Twelve Legit Reasons To Leave Your City (#urbanism #cities #cplan #tacticalurbanism)
Readers , Family and Friends: As I wrote a few weeks ago, I want to expand the reach of this site. I believe there are many voices in placemaking, community development and cultural awarness that need to be heard together. The recent neighborhood shooting in Florida and the rising gas prices make this type of … Continue reading Support The Black Urbanist in the Knight News Challenge
As I promised in my last post on Thursday, I am now releasing my reader’s survey and also my event schedule for the spring. At the latter two events I am on the program and at the Urban Design Conference I’ll be in the crowd and liveblogging. Also, if you want me to come speak … Continue reading The Black Urbanist Spring 2012 Appearance Schedule and Reader Survey
Yes, this looks cool, but I think I’ve seen this airport before…(Image Credit Flickr user: Evil Jess Floating through airports over the summer, I have noticed how remarkably similar they are. I would think an international building with the ability to showcase the local culture would in fact be that showcase. Instead, I’m seeing the … Continue reading Are We Missing Major Place-Making Opportunities With Our Airports?
It really did all start with a map. I’ve told my story before, but I wanted to revisit it again this week as we will be talking about grassroots planning. This week also marks the launch of my new weekly e-newsletter, the Blackurbanpaper. Be sure to use the purple box on the top right to … Continue reading How I Find Meaning as The Black Urbanist
Mentions and Features WUNC’s The State of Things, June 2019, Digging Into Gentrification In North Carolina WTVD (ABC 11), June 2019, Gentrification, affordable housing focus of meeting in Raleigh Idaho Business Review.com, April 2018, Intermountain Fair Housing Council Holds Vision Summit The Commercial Appeal, March 2018, The 9:01: ‘Black Urbanist’ Kristen Jeffers on seeing cities … Continue reading Press/Other Places I Write
For many of you, your neighborhood Borders is just another part of the sprawburbia that has eaten our landscape alive in the past few years. However, for my neighborhood and I, Borders is more than a crappy overpriced bookstore and wannabe music store, it’s a gathering place, our true third space. Just like our shopping … Continue reading Saying Goodbye to Borders