From Haiti to South Africa, Brooklyn to Harlem

When I decided to become an urban planner, I did not set out to start a movement. I certainly was not imagining an international career. Finding myself at a personal and professional crossroad as a result of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, I knew that
I had a moral obligation to contribute my skillsets towards the greater good of our global society – which was far beyond my original intentions for sure.

What I have since come to learn is that there are many similarities between not only communities in Haiti and other vulnerable localities throughout the Caribbean, but also across traditional divides that artificially separate places in ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries. For example, the small island country Dominica has been immersed with tackling the effects of climate change on the built environment for some time and more recently, so has New York City in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Jamaica has an income inequality issue as do many countries like the United States.

Need I say more?

Given these observations, I am delighted to partake in a South African documentary film entitled, “Not in My Neighborhood.” In it, global filmmaker Kurt Orderson compares the impacts of gentrification on communities of color in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Brooklyn and Harlem. While all things gentrification are constantly up for debate (and will likely continue to be for the foreseeable future), the film does highlight important community-based perspectives that clearly span countries and borders.

Be sure to check out the trailer and I look forward to keeping you updated on this exciting project!