This opening plenary brings us to Minneapolis where the murder of George Floyd, in the midst of a global pandemic, set off unprecedented national and international protests calling for racial justice. Many parts of the Twin Cities were devastated. Most impacted were Black, Native American and immigrant communities built over decades through grassroots placekeeping work.…
In this plenary, participants learn about, observe, and discuss ways of working and partnering for effective creative placemaking in diverse, challenging, and ever-changing circumstances. We hear about examples of effective, unconventional partnerships and ways to help form and support responsive and flexible collaborations. Speakers explore working with mixed goals and organizational cultures to identify synergy…
Racism and inequity are deeply – and sometimes not so deeply – embedded in cultural, social and economic institutions and systems. When we peel away layers, what do we see and still not see? This session explores equity and persistent questions surrounding inequities that typically arise in placemaking and other cultural work. How do we…
“How can we become agents of justice not administrators of the status quo?” This was asked during a July 2020 discussion among city planners of color by Pedro Soto, planning director for the City of Lawrence, MA. This final plenary concludes the convocation by inviting us to take leadership roles in creating positive change through…