What's Justin up to this summer?
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Hey look ma, I made it
I'm now a Master of City and Regional Planning from Morgan State University School of Architecture and Planning. My master's project, Tiny Houses and the Black Experience, is online on the School website (what what!) and of course on my website at http://soulstrong.com/tiny-houses. I know my parents would have loved to celebrate with me. Thanks to my friends who called in to wish me love. Much love to my brother, Joey, who decked out my graduation photo!
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Jewish LGBT Film Series
This summer, join me on a film committee for the Jewish LGBT Film Series I will sit on and lead with an amazing group of volunteers. Thanks to JPride and to Beth Am Synagogue.
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Digital Ecosystem
Productivity Planner
FYI, nerdiness alert: I'm slowly organizing and migrating all of my online notes, tasks, journal entries, and library of my furniture, files, and favorite pieces of media, with my health and food tracking, onto an app called Notion. I'm enjoying both taking a step back and digging into the details. If you'd like a Notion walkthrough or just want to tell me about your push to be healthy during COVID, please say hello!
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CARES Act
Like all Marylanders, I am grateful that Governor Hogan has announced $190 Million in COVID-19 Relief for Small Businesses, Higher Education, and Nonprofit Organizations. This week, my employer has begun inviting employees to return to the workplace. The program for which I manage grants, the Community Development Block Grant, has begun to receive and distribute funds from the CARES Act to eligible grantees. Please continue opening your hearts and wallets to those who have lost their income, fear evictions, and have feared losing or have lost relatives due to COVID-19.
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Milo the Cat
Milo got a couple ticks last month, so he's been a bit stir crazy being grounded. I was bad and let him out yesterday...so now he's adapting to life inside again. Just today he jumped up and managed to find his snacks and was chomping away before we caught him. How'd he get so smart?
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Harbor West Master Planning
I'm continuing my past planning efforts as the 2020 community fellow with Westport CEDC's Harbor West Collaborative. In addition to their website redesign, this summer I am assisting to develop a master plan for the Harbor West neighborhoods of Lakeland, Mount Winans, Saint Paul, and Westport.
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Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
This summer, I'm enjoying reading through Maggie Anderson's "Our Black Year" and Michael Twitty's "The Cooking Gene." Additionally, my family is supporting a few additional non-profits this year:
- Maryland Food Bank
- Navajo Water Project
- International Rescue Committee
- Black Church Food Network
- Equal Justice Initiative
- Reginald F Lewis Museum
- Leaders for a Beautiful Struggle
- Pride Center of Maryland
- Habitat for Humanity Chesapeake
- Be'chol Lashon
To list a few. Please consider how you can extend your time or a few dollars!
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Being the Change We Wish to See
Read MissionFit's impassioned equity statement on being role models of color to Baltimore's youth: "How we are uplifted by our community and how we are working to create an unstoppable wave of health in Baltimore." I am proud to serve on MissionFit's board.
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Remembering My Mother
This summer is so very strange. As much as my family and are striving to stay active and we are so thankful we are healthy, there's a voice that is missing in my life. Last April 1st, 2019, my mother passed away. Now, a full year later, with COVID fears in toe, my family has not yet been able to unveil my mother's gravestone and instead, like so many families, we mourn differently than we had expected.
Rather, while we wait, this month my brothers and I expect to see our family home enlisted for sale. The house looks gorgeous and I know my parents would be proud. Many thanks to Posh Home Improvements, who live in the same neighborhood of Baltimore County's Windsor Mill/Woodlawn, who did excellent work.
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YOU MADE IT THIS FAR DOWN?
MYSTERY BOX: Reply back to this e-mail with who said the following phrase, and you'll have a chance to win a free print from my Intaglio series (while supplies last).
"I wish I could say that racism and prejudice were only distant memories."
Google's your friend!
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