The Black History Month Committee invites you to a Fireside chat exploring the intersections of art, design, and equity. Join esteemed Black creatives as they share their journeys, discuss the transformative power of their work, and reflect on the role of storytelling in shaping more inclusive spaces. This intimate conversation promises to inspire, challenge, and spark meaningful dialogue about fostering change through creativity.

Theme: Roots, City and Neighborhood Design
Sub-theme: Roots, Resilience, and Justice: Centering Black Narratives in the Built Environment

This theme explores how centering Black narratives in urban planning, architecture, and design serves as a powerful tool for empowerment, resistance, and transformation. By delving into the intersection of history, identity, and the built environment, the discussion will highlight the critical role of Black architects, planners, and designers in addressing systemic inequities and historical erasure. At the same time, it will celebrate the rich cultural legacies that have emerged from Black communities despite
structural barriers. The conversation will highlight the resilience of Black communities and the transformative power of integrating cultural narratives into the physical fabric of urban spaces. This discussion will emphasize justice-driven approaches to designing thriving, inclusive communities that celebrate and preserve Black heritage.

Centering Black voices in the design process will also take center stage, with a discussion on participatory design methods that go beyond tokenism to ensure Black communities lead decision-making processes. Panelists will share strategies for fostering genuine partnerships between professionals and residents, as well as examples from their own work, such as cultural landscape preservation and equitable planning. This conversation will inspire a broader understanding of the built environment as a space for justice, cultural preservation, and collective growth, underscoring the transformative power of centering Black voices in shaping our cities.

Speakers
Ujijji Davis Williams, PLA, ASLA, M.U.P. ’17, Founder of JIMA Studios, JIMA Studios
Sherelle Streeter, M.U.P. ’20, Planner III, City of Detroit Planning & Development Department (PDD) East Region
Russell Baltimore, BS Arch ’92; M.U.P. ’94, Assistant Director of the Planning and Development Department, City of Detroit
Donovan Smith, AICP, Principal Planner, McKenna
Brittany Simmons, M.U.P. ’20, Urban Planner, OHM Advisors

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