Urban Planner, Project Manager
I am an Urbanist focused on ensuring Black and Indigenous communities thrive. Working with organizations and neighborhoods to develop programs and strategies that empower and transform communities is my passion. Over the past decade I have been pleased to work with initiatives that span the range of far-reaching and well-developed, to local and grassroots, supporting their growth, bringing together resources and building toolkits to share best practices.<br><br>The backbone of my work has been focused on place-based approaches in steering initiatives that are collaborative, with long-term approaches to build thriving communities. In all, developing frameworks, collaborating across communities and sectors, securing funding and establishing growth from a community-informed perspective is what drives me. I have an insatiable desire to support the activation of people and programs that create tangible change. <br>
General info
Urban Planner, Project Manager
A seasoned program director and creator with a track record of creating programs that transform community economies and neighborhood based organizations, and an award-winning professional dancer and 2020 Kresge Arts in Detroit Fellow.
CORE COMPETENCIES
In depth knowledge of community-based organizations throughout SE Michigan.
Track record of incubating small businesses, events and cultural placemaking initiatives.
Strong background in strategic planning and fundraising.
Growing capital for community-based work.
Building successful relationships with community residents, nonprofit/corporate organizations, and public/private donors and funders.
CORE COMPETENCIES
In depth knowledge of community-based organizations throughout SE Michigan.
Track record of incubating small businesses, events and cultural placemaking initiatives.
Strong background in strategic planning and fundraising.
Growing capital for community-based work.
Building successful relationships with community residents, nonprofit/corporate organizations, and public/private donors and funders.
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Founder
Culturvated
Contracted by: Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, The Detroit Institute of Arts, University of Michigan and the Carr Center to create and produce cultural events and projects. Past projects include: Detroit Neighborhood Arts Project, Inside/Out and the Convening for Black Dance and Culture.
Program Manager
Live6 Alliance
Work with Marygrove College and University of Detroit Mercy to develop the engagement strategy for the Live6 corridor.
Lead partner and project manager in the Mural Arts Philadelphia, Arts and Environmental capacity building project that focused on walkability along commercial corridors.
Conceptualized, fundraised for and managed Market2Mainstreet program to bridge the gap between informal markets, businesses and retail space in an effort to contribute to the growth and sustainability of the local economy. Successfully secured funding of $300,000 for two years for property buildout and design.
Created and managed MarketOnTheAVE, resulting in two permanent businesses.
Increased the visibility of Live6 through partnerships with the Detroit Collaborative Design Center and Eastern Market Corporation to design an affordable community-centered marketplace.
Lead partner and project manager in the Mural Arts Philadelphia, Arts and Environmental capacity building project that focused on walkability along commercial corridors.
Conceptualized, fundraised for and managed Market2Mainstreet program to bridge the gap between informal markets, businesses and retail space in an effort to contribute to the growth and sustainability of the local economy. Successfully secured funding of $300,000 for two years for property buildout and design.
Created and managed MarketOnTheAVE, resulting in two permanent businesses.
Increased the visibility of Live6 through partnerships with the Detroit Collaborative Design Center and Eastern Market Corporation to design an affordable community-centered marketplace.
Program Director
FoodLab
Advised businesses and organizations, managed projects, and developed plans to achieve comprehensive objectives such as program development, program related investment, and mission driven outcomes.
Developed and managed the “How To” program which engaged and assisted over 300 food entrepreneurs through technical assistance training.
Developed and managed the “How To” program which engaged and assisted over 300 food entrepreneurs through technical assistance training.
Program Director
Leaps and Bounds Family Services
2008 – 2015
Directed strategic community based socio-economic development initiatives in Metro-Detroit. During a seven year tenure with the organization, managed several highly visible programs and initiatives which achieved notable outcomes.
Principal in implementing the Great Start to Quality demonstration project; a rating system for early childhood providers to measure school readiness. This project led to a multi-agency initiative funded by the State of Michigan to address early education standards and outcomes.
Created and implemented a professional development training curriculum to improve childcare operations and strategies for increased wages with funding from the Michigan Economic Growth Corporation.
Directed strategic community based socio-economic development initiatives in Metro-Detroit. During a seven year tenure with the organization, managed several highly visible programs and initiatives which achieved notable outcomes.
Principal in implementing the Great Start to Quality demonstration project; a rating system for early childhood providers to measure school readiness. This project led to a multi-agency initiative funded by the State of Michigan to address early education standards and outcomes.
Created and implemented a professional development training curriculum to improve childcare operations and strategies for increased wages with funding from the Michigan Economic Growth Corporation.
Education
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Wayne State University
Bachelor of Public Affairs
Wayne State University
LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
Art in Public Spaces Symposium: How Do I do That?Detroit Month of Design, 2020
Inclusive Placemaking & Planning for Equitable Cities, University of Detroit Mercy, 2019
Art & Environment Capacity Building, Mural Arts Philadelphia, 2019
Public Spaces Forum, Knight Foundation, 2019
Learning Journey: Copenhagen, Toronto, Memphis, Detroit, Reimagining The Civic Commons, 2018-2019
Revolve- Placemaking in Economically Distressed Communities, ArtPlace Summit, 2018
Inclusive Placemaking & Planning for Equitable Cities, University of Detroit Mercy, 2019
Art & Environment Capacity Building, Mural Arts Philadelphia, 2019
Public Spaces Forum, Knight Foundation, 2019
Learning Journey: Copenhagen, Toronto, Memphis, Detroit, Reimagining The Civic Commons, 2018-2019
Revolve- Placemaking in Economically Distressed Communities, ArtPlace Summit, 2018
LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Marygrove Conservancy, Board Member, 2019-Present
Sierra Leone Association of Michigan, Vice President, 2017-Present
New American Leaders Project, 2017
Michigan State University - Great Lakes Leadership Academy, Leadership Advancement Program 2014-2015
Legacy Charter Academy, Secretary of Board 2013-Present
Sierra Leone Association of Michigan, Vice President, 2017-Present
New American Leaders Project, 2017
Michigan State University - Great Lakes Leadership Academy, Leadership Advancement Program 2014-2015
Legacy Charter Academy, Secretary of Board 2013-Present
PROFESSIONAL DANCE SUMMARY
Ajara is a professional dancer who creates, teaches and facilitates discussions, performances and events that explore the kinship between the African diaspora lineage, community and scholarship.
Dance Highlights include:
Kresge Arts in Detroit, Fellow, 2020
Queering Classical: Centering African Movements as Foundational Dance Practice, Presenter, Collegium of African Diaspora Dance at Duke University, 2020
TeMaTe Institute for Black Dance and Culture, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Present
Detroit Public Schools Community District, Dance Adjudicator 2017, 2018 & 2019
African Kinetic Knowledge- Upholding Our Legacy, Presenter, Collegium of African Diaspora Dance at Duke University, 2018
New York Foundation for the Arts, Immigrant Artist Mentor Program, Mentor, 2018
Dance Highlights include:
Kresge Arts in Detroit, Fellow, 2020
Queering Classical: Centering African Movements as Foundational Dance Practice, Presenter, Collegium of African Diaspora Dance at Duke University, 2020
TeMaTe Institute for Black Dance and Culture, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Present
Detroit Public Schools Community District, Dance Adjudicator 2017, 2018 & 2019
African Kinetic Knowledge- Upholding Our Legacy, Presenter, Collegium of African Diaspora Dance at Duke University, 2018
New York Foundation for the Arts, Immigrant Artist Mentor Program, Mentor, 2018