Reflecting on my transformative journey with the Urban Design Program and the impactful project in Kumasi, Ghana, this experience marks a pivotal point in both my professional development and personal commitment to sustainable urban design. Addressing urban poverty through innovative waste management and sanitation, our work aimed to foster equitable and sustainable environments, while empowering local communities.

As President-Elect Biden establishes his climate leadership team with a focus on environmental justice, I fondly remembered my past work at the Clinton Global Initiative, where I oversaw the development of the City of Birmingham’s six-point commitment to action for ongoing community revitalization and the creation of hundreds of jobs in North Birmingham.