What Happens If Black People Are Given Space to Thrive?

Lauren Hood, the founder of the Institute for AfroUrbanism, is searching for the answer.

Lauren Hood, founder of the Institute for AfroUrbanism (Photo courtesy of Lauren Hood)

Generally speaking, many urban planners begin from the framework of white saviorism — the notion that white people know what’s best for community development in Black neighborhoods because their degree says so.

Lauren Hood, a lifelong Detroiter, activist and community developer, decided to flip that notion on its head with the creation of the Institute for AfroUrbanism (IAU), a think tank that aims to explore what Black people need to thrive and transform their communities.

But she first had to unlearn what she was taught during her studies, earning a master’s in community development — Black urbanism is far more than just struggle and trauma highlighted in academia.

“I'm having to unlearn some of the things that we learned in that program,” Hood explained. “But I don't think it was all bad. I think it teaches you how the ecosystem around revitalization efforts work, which is imperative if you want to have an impact in that ecosystem. But I think it teaches it from a framework that you’re saving people.

“I feel like I got a master's degree in gentrification,” she said, with a laugh.