Dawn Hicks /// Gentrification: A Necessary Evil /// Season5:E113

The effects of gentrification is profoundly harmful to the neighborhoods it consumes.  

 

Most not personally impacted by gentrification view the process as positive and transformative. But for the longtime residents it is not a benign process. As money moves in, the original culture and demographics are forcefully changed.  Our guest Dawn Hicks does a wonderful job revealing the ugly truths gentrification. She provides a voice for those communities whose once familiar home  became wholly unrecognizable. This episode is one on gaining a more complete and intimate understanding of the effects of gentrification.  

 

"Nothing about us, without us, is for us…" - Unattributed 

 

Originally from Richmond, VA, Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.  She also holds a Masters in Architecture from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte where she focused on the social and economic impacts of Hip Hop on Architecture.  Dawn has a passion for enhancing urban environments through influences of social, economic, and cultural forces that help shape built environments and develop inclusive communities in affordable ways.  Her goal is to use her diverse love for music and design to enhance the future of architecture. 

  

Dawn Hicks is an Enterprise Rose Fellow, currently working with Venice Community Housing in Venice, California as their Community Design Coordinator and Project Manager.  With VCH, Dawn serves as a key member of the housing development team as VCH initiates new construction projects focused on increasing affordable and permanent supportive housing options in Venice, as well as reinvest in several older properties.  She is also an integral part of their property management, resident services, YouthBuild and advocacy teams and engages a wide variety of other community members and stakeholders in an approach to community development and participatory design. 

 

Topics we discuss: 

•  Gentrification 
  • Watch out for when a Starbucks is created  
  • How it affects the members of a community  
• How neighborhoods are targeted  
  • Drivers behind gentrifying neighborhoods 
• Communities and their history 
  • Cultural identities  
• Getting into the field  
  • Her personal experiences with communities.  
• Experience God  
  • God's impact on her life and her view of the world.  

 

References: 

• Definition of Gentrification
• Inglewood
  • Arena building
    • The Forum
    • Clippers
• Broad Street in Richmond
• Crenshaw Line development
• Venice Community Housing
• Common - The Cornerr
• Cultural Appropriation
• B-Boy
• Enterprise Rose Fellowship
• North Carolina A&T School of Engineering
• History of Racial division with Interstates
• GiftPod (giveagiftpod.com)

 

Credits: 

 

Lead editor + Producer: Ruf Holmes 

 

Music: 

Main Theme: "Eaze Does It" by Shye Eaze and DJ Rufbeats, a More In Common Podcast Exclusive. 

Guest theme:  "Windows Galore" by DJ Rufbeats created as a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.