Reading Pimblott’s "Faith in Black Power" alongside Chapell’s "Ye That Are Men That Now Serve Him" reminds me how Cairo, Illinois was more than any ordinary American town, it was a battlefield for America’s soul.

"The configuration of social capital is the key in shaping resilient city dynamics. Rather than simply increasing the number of civic organizations, what is most important is how social capital is deployed, called upon, and realized by the actors within a community."

- Sean Safford

Had a great week in Omaha Nebraska for the IAP2 Conference to talk about how Engage #FortWayne is leading the way in community engagement.

I had a chance to explore the Old Market Neighborhood and enjoy beautifully crafted social environments and shelter during a tornado warning!

What an honor it was to present at this year's International Association for Public Participation in #Omaha about the work we're doing in #FortWayne with ENGAGE Fort Wayne.

Can't wait til May ☘️

6th Street looking north on Commercial, probably sometime around 1930.

hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2021/11/

#CairoIllinois #Cairo

I am excited to get a copy of Grif Stockley's "Blood In Their Eyes" about the 1919 Elaine Massacre. Are you asking yourself, Elaine Arkansas? Yeah, I did, too, when I first heard about this on a drive to Cairo Illinois working on my Masters thesis.

25 years in radio
Spent a decade at the #1 spot in afternoon drive
Was Program Director of the year twice
Mike Posner, Chainsmokers and The Script are still my favorite artists

A stunning sunset over LaRez in Fort Wayne.

#FortWayne

This is a must read:

'Slow and Sudden Violence' by Derek Hyra

Enhancing East Central residents' connections to Hanna Homestead Park and the Jennings Center while improving neighborhood safety is one of many projects outlined in the forthcoming East Central Forward Neighborhood Plan.

eastcentralplan.com

#FortWayne

📷 credit: @johnpfelts.bsky.social

Groot is being extra tonight

In May 2023, the City of Fort Wayne adopted the Packard 2030 Neighborhood Plan for 18 neighborhoods located south of Downtown Fort Wayne. The plan recommends over 100 projects and programs to enhance the quality of life for all Packard Area residents.

Learn more at www.packardplan.org

Today, I had the honor to introduce my friend, colleague, and mentor, Jonathan Pacheco Bell, the keynote speaker at the 2024 OKI Planning Conference. He introduced the concept of #embeddedplanning to hundreds of urban planners across the Midwest.

Simply put, "We cannot plan from our desks."

Perfect weekend to take on a new book for November, Stolen Pride by Sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild.

"It began to occur to me that just as Americans live in a material economy, we also live in an equally important pride economy."

#sociology

Embedded Planning is the future of our cities. Simply put, we work in the community and not from a desk. Its about getting to know the people, their needs, and their culture.

This week, my friend and mentor Jonathan Pacheco Bell will be in Fort Wayne to talk about this praxis.

#EmbeddedPlanning