Magazine
Walking The Walk
Meet The Next American City Vanguard
On May 20 and 21, Next American City, with support from Living Cities and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, traveled to Washington, D.C., to host a gathering of 34 of the country’s brightest young urban leaders. Hailing from 18 states with equally diverse personal and professional backgrounds, these environmental justice advocates, community organizers, consultants, designers, politicians and others share a dedication to improving America’s cities and fostering a network of likeminded advocates. Selected from more than 100 applicants, the Next American Vanguard of 2009 featured a blogger from Washington, D.C., a mayoral campaign manager from New Orleans, apparel-making twins from St. Louis, and an architect who provides nonprofit design services to communities recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
Over two days of formal and informal discussion, the group exchanged ideas about how to improve urban life, honing in on the issues of civic engagement, land use and transportation. Among other things, they discussed the importance of “walking the walk” when you’re a professional advocate — of using the buses and bike paths you fight for, and spending time in the neighborhoods you want to improve. They praised the utility of social networking sites in uniting people around a cause, but reminded one another that those most in need of help don’t even have an Internet connection, much less a Facebook page. They talked about growing their businesses and their efforts despite the economic downturn, and even identified concrete ways to use the recession to instigate reform.
This special section of Issue No. 24 introduces the members of the Vanguard, highlighting several individuals who represent a broad cross-section of regions and work. Next American City has already profiled many other Vanguard members in past issues of the magazine and on americancity.org. The following pages also share some of the most compelling and useful visions and concepts that emerged at the conference. In the coming year and beyond, the Vanguard will stay in touch and continue to share their best practices and boldest ideas.
The rest of this article is only available in Next American City magazine.
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