CREATIVITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: THE KIRWAN INSTITUTE’S WORK IN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CRP Guest Lecture November 17th, Knowlton School of Architecture Kip Holley, Research Associate II – Civic Engagement, The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity The Ohio State University Kirwaninstitute.osu.edu

KIRWAN INSTITUTE: SOLVING PROBLEMS & BUILDING OPPORTUNITY

CREATIVITY IS THE KEY TO EFFECTIVE PLANNING

CENTRAL PARK & SENECA VILLAGE

THE TWO BOOKENDS OF SOCIAL INEQUITY Biases, Narratives, Preconceptions Structures, Systems, Institutions

THE OUTCOME OF IS A HIGHLY UNEVEN GEOGRAPHY OF OPPORTUNITY… 6 Some people ride the “Up” escalator to reach opportunity. Others have to run up the “Down” escalator to get there.

RESPONDING AS PRACTITIONERS Creative Ideas for Equity

SOCIAL JUSTICE=TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” -Albert Einstein

WE EMBRACE OUR HUMANITY… Community Development that is based on the principles of social empathy, emotional intelligence, and bridging social capital tend to lead to more equitable and opportunity-rich communities.

Asset & Wealth BuildingK 12 School ReformAccess to fresh foodCivic & Youth EngagementMentoring & Leadership TrainingJob Training & Labor Force DevelopmentReentry Programs for Ex OffendersEarly Childhood Care & Education ServicesFamily Supportive Services Vacant Land Redevelopment, Land Banking & Blight Removal Community Land Trusts & Housing Stabilization Community Development & Infrastructure Investments Coordinated Service Delivery for Service Providers & Organizations Foreclosure Prevention Building a civic community, rich in actionable social capita Community Health Investments & Fresh Food Initiatives Improving Infrastructure and Open Space Community Crime Prevention & Supporting Safescapes Ensuring Housing Mobility via Regional Housing Strategies Supporting Fair Housing EnforcementSupporting Inclusionary Housing DevelopmentDeveloping Transit InfrastructureChanging perceptions of crime Supporting Strong Professional & Business Networks Transit Oriented DevelopmentBus Rapid Transit SystemsExpanding access to quality health care STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (PEOPLE, PLACE, LINKS)

KIRWAN’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK IN ACTION: SOUTH SIDE COLUMBUS

EQUITABLE REVITALIZATION ON COLUMBUS’ SOUTH SIDE What we care about on the south side The health of the hearts, minds, and bodies of our residents. And neighborhoods and relationships matter immensely for that. This is where community development comes in– “Community” takes care of the hearts and minds “Development” takes care of the “body”/physical

ENGAGEMENT PROCESS/ASSET MAPPING Engaged with 400+ South Side residents over 7 months Engaged ‘where people were at’  1 st Birthday Parties-CD4AP  Stowe Mission Mid-Day Meal  South High School  House Sweet It Is Prioritized Community and Personal Assets, Community Spaces Co-Developed Language for Third Places/Bridging Social Capital

HOUSING PLAN Coalition of numerous housing partners in Central Ohio Aimed at very low income renters, homeowners, landlords Extensive data collecting and engagement around housing issues Housing plan that resists gentrification and displacement: ‘A South Side for All’

SOUTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Partnership with UWCO/Nationwide Children’s Hospital Aimed at finding new leaders in community Leading ‘from the middle’ 1 st class graduates in late November Initiating new community projects/finding new partners

ROOTS CAFÉ/REEB CENTER/THIRD PLACES Third places: community ‘living rooms’ and ‘front porches’ Engagements with community members to find third places Identified community places include Reeb Center, Roots Café Third places for social capital, childhood development, resource hubs

CLOSING THOUGHTS…. Creativity is central to effective planning, but it’s not value-neutral Creativity is best used to transform how communities are developed so that everyone has a chance to access vital resources for success. Planning socially just communities relies on understanding the connections between different systems and how they affect people on a regular basis Use creativity to build creativity!