How can we empower black homeowners to lead development in their communities?

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Frolic recently had the incredible opportunity to partner with Wa Na Wari during their annual Walk the Block arts festival and community event. This marked the evolution of our work together over the past year, and our shared sense of responsibility to listen to, learn from, and cherish those who have come before us, recognizing the importance of the community’s voice.  Together we organized a Black Homeowner Design Charrette at Walk the Block Institute, connecting local homeowners with resources to help them achieve their visions – all in a public forum designed to share knowledge and celebrate community history.

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Through conversations about land use, design, construction, policy, finance, estate planning, and implementation, we took a community-driven approach to exploring housing development. From this co-design process, we collaborated with a team of experts to guide and provide material for their development visions into actionable next steps. Our open charrette setting also invited community members to join in, observe, and participate in the day-long event, by providing everyone a chance to learn and contribute to a collective process of dreaming, learning, and building. Whether you were a community member, policy advocate, AEC professional, financier, or just curious, the charrette was a space to learn, be inspired, and explore new approaches to housing development.

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We partnered directly with four inspiring Black families – Eula Scott Bynoe, Jacqueline Smith Armstrong, Anita and Vance Adams, and Teya and Nita Williams – who presented their homes as case studies. Each one showcased a unique vision for small-scale land development in high-value urban neighborhoods like Seattle's historic Central District. We were honored to be invited into each participant's home for weekly visits over several months and hear how each family's legacy has stood the test of time against displacement and gentrification in their neighborhoods. With their trust we were able to share our resources as a team to provide insights, various tools, skillsets, and processes that continue to help craft our model and position as an organization.

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