Home(town) Security: Majora Carter to Deliver the 2016 Barry Commoner Lecture on the Environment

“Brain Drain” is often associated with developing nations and rural economies, but Majora Carter links them to America’s chronically underperforming low-status communities. By creating neighborhoods with the quality of life needed to keep talented, successful, hardworking individuals from leaving as soon as they can, she believes we can narrow the re-investment gap that often leads to “gentrification” and displacement. As the US experiences a historical period of re-urbanization, we have a unique opportunity for minority wealth creation and greater social equality—if we are creative, diligent, and mindful regarding market forces and repeated scenarios seen in real estate development and local job creation.  

Majora Carter is an urban revitalization strategy consultant, real estate developer, and Peabody Award-winning broadcaster. She is responsible for the creation and successful implementation of numerous green infrastructure projects, policies, and job training and placement systems.

After establishing Sustainable South Bronx and Green For All (among other organizations) to carry on that work, she built on this foundation with innovative ventures and insights into urban economic developments designed to help move Americans out of poverty.

Her long list of awards and honorary degrees includes accolades from groups as diverse as Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, John Podesta’s Center for American Progress, Goldman Sachs, as well as a MacArthur “genius” Fellowship. Her 2006 TEDtalk was one of the first 6 videos to launch their groundbreaking website.  Carter is a Board Member of the US Green Building Council, and the Andrew Goodman Foundation.

Carter has continually set new standards of excellence with projects in her South Bronx community, while expanding her reach through philanthropic pursuits and business interests that have all pointed toward greater self-esteem and economic potential for low-income people everywhere.

Join us on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 from 2:30–3:30 pm in the Theresa Lang Theatre for Carter’s lecture.

To learn more about the Barry Commoner Lecture on the Environment, please visit here. 

Published: January 04, 2016