Rooted in Midtown is the culmination of my time in the MUPP program at UIC. Under the direction of Stacey Sutton and in partnership with Calumet Collaborative, Gary Food Council, and other stakeholders, myself and a team of six others created this plan to foster community ownership, wealth-building, and food sovereignty in Midtown, Gary. This plan features recommendations on community capital funds, community land trusts, acquiring property, programming, and more.
As one of two project managers for this plan, I directed my peers in their research, writing, and document creation. I was also a point person for communication between the student group and the community partners. I was the lead writer for the Physical Space section and one of three designers of the plan. This project brought together my skills, career goals, and values co-creating something with community that will directly benefit them, made all the more special by being in my home of Northwest Indiana. I endeavor to bring similar principles and work to my career.
