Revitalizing Baltimore in the Wake of the Freddy Gray Tragedy

TOPICRevitalization in Baltimore after Freddie GrayGUESTMel Freeman is the former Executive Director of Citizens Planning & Housing Association, a regional organization whose mission envisions a well-planned Baltimore region with equity among jurisdictions, where citizens respect diversity and have access to responsive government and quality housing in vibrant neighborhoods. Currently, Mel is leading his own consulting firm, Freeman Consulting Group, where he continues to work to advance community-led planning processes that provide residents and organizations with the tools to self-manage change within their own communities. His approach is grounded in the belief that people change neighborhoods themselves not by waiting on others to lead the way.ORGANIZATIONThe Citizens Planning & Housing Association (CPHA) is the catalyst for civic action to bring about a healthy, inclusive Baltimore, with economically vibrant communities and opportunities for all people. The organization does this by bringing together people and neighborhoods to create innovative solutions to challenging, community-wide problems; empowering citizens with information and skills for advocacy and organizing; and championing solutions through legislative and policy reforms. Their programs include Community Association Support and Leadership Training, Policy Research and Legislative Pressure, Citizen Outreach and Organizing, and more.Website – http://www.cphabaltimore.org/Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/bmorecphaTwitter – https://twitter.com/bmorecphaTAKEAWAY QUOTES“There is a big fear of the word gentrification, do we have to have other folks who don’t look like us in our neighborhoods to increase the value of our communities?”“There is never enough public money, ever! So private investment needs to happen in these communities.”“We do need change in communities, but we also need to secure the families that are there.”“You can’t get anything done unless you’re out there talking to people, and trying to really understand what their needs are.”“Nobody in their neighborhood uses this train, hundreds of cars drive to this train station and then those people go to work, and those jobs are for them, not for us.”“What we have to do is get out in these communities and talk about what is for them, and not have them constantly thinking that the next thing that happens in their community is not for them, it is for them and they need to know that.”THANKS FOR LISTENING Thanks so much for joining us. Have some feedback or an idea you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review for Infinite Earth Radio on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are super helpful and greatly appreciated as it helps us expose this show to a wider audience – plus, we read each and every one of them!