Recognizing the prominent voices in the walkability, advocacy, planning, and mobility justice space beyond just February
Just because Black History Month ends today doesn’t mean we stop uplifting, showcasing, and celebrating Black voices in our space. Black History Month was created to bring attention to the contribution of Black people throughout US history. We often see recognition for the 28 (sometimes 29) days throughout the month of February and then little for the other eleven months of the year. Below is a collection of some voices we find inspiring and crucial parts of the real-time change happening in the space of transportation, mobility justice, urban planning, walkability, and more. We invite you to learn more about these folks and their work, follow them, and support them not just for the month of February but for the months and years ahead.
Brittany B. Simmons
New York-based urban planner who shares her extensive knowledge on her platform as part of PlanningTok on Tiktok, where she goes by @signedbritt. A lot of questions and comments on her videos come from middle and high schoolers, which helps seek out Simmon’s goals of educating the youth through transparency and education.
Where to follow along: TikTok
Anwar Peace
Anwar Peace sits as the Chair of the Spokane Human Rights Commission and a Police Accountability Activist in Spokane, WA. He began his activism 14 years ago after a tragedy where David John Walker was murdered by Seattle Police on live television. Peace started an organization to help family members that have been touched by police brutality.
Where to follow along: Facebook
Veronica O. Davis
Director of Transportation and Drainage Operations City of Houston, “civil engineer, planner, transportation nerd, public speaker, community activist, guest lecturer, poet, blogger, lover of art, yogi, foodie, world explorer, wife, and mom.” Author of the upcoming book, Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities (coming out July 2023). Preorder here.
Where to follow along: Twitter, website
Charles T. Brown, MPA, CPD
Founder + CEO at Equitable Cities, Keynote Speaker, and Army Veteran. He is also an adjunct professor at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. You can catch him as the host of the dynamic podcast, Arrested Mobility, where he deep dives into issues surrounding mobility justice.
Where to follow along: Twitter, Instagram, website, podcast
Nailah Pope-Harden
Nailah Pope-Harden sits on the Board of America Walks and is the Executive Director of Climate Plan in Sacramento, CA. She has years of local and national experience in community organizing, coalition building, and social justice campaigns. Pope-Harden’s drive comes from ensuring that her son has a healthy environment and safe future. You can follow her journey on Twitter @nailahph.
Where to follow along: Twitter, Climate Plan
Ashton Simpson
In 2023, Ashton was sworn in as the District 1 Metro Councilor in Portland, Oregon – representing the East County – a portion of the city that has been overlooked for far too long. Prior to being a Metro Councilor, Ashton was the Executive Director of Oregon Walks and serves on the America Walks board. He is also a community organizer, former U.S. Air Force Civil Engineering Technician, and graduate of PSU’s Community Development undergraduate program. Check him out on Bike Portland’s podcast from March 2022.
Where to follow along: Twitter
Dr. Destiny Deguzman
Destiny is a creator at Dignity-Infused Planning Process and also the CEO of the Thrivance Group (@thrivancegroup/@REALunurbanist). She works to dismantle and end spatial racism.
Where to follow along: Twitter, website
Andre Perry
Andre is a Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro, a scholar-in-residence at American University, and a professor of the practice of economics at Washington University. He is the Author of ‘Know Your Price Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities‘ and a contributor to MSNBC.
Where to follow along: Twitter
Armand Turner
Armand is the Physical Activity Program Manager for Healthy Savannah and the YMCA’s REACH Grant. REACH stands for Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health and focuses on improving the health of the low-wealth, African-American population of Chatham County through policy, systems, and environmental change.
