Proximity, neighboring, and relationships are at the core of what we do at FCS. We think natural, unhurried relationships without an agenda are deeply important. We also believe in the power of structure and intention to move toward collective efficacy. But how do you build collective efficacy? This happens through something called relational organizing, a practice we’ll introduce to you in today’s episode.
Place Matters
A Lupton Center Podcast
This is Place Matters, a podcast about the intersection of race, place, and poverty. Together, we’ll explore the belief that the path towards ending inequity and promoting prosperity is through the work of holistic neighborhood development. The content for this podcast is based on over 45 years of experience, expertise, failure, and hope from our organization, Focused Community Strategies — better known as FCS. Thanks for joining us!
Episodes
Season 2: Neighborhood Engagement
Creating Healthy Programs and Partnerships
So far in this season, we’ve told you a lot about the “why” of neighborhood engagement. In this episode, we want to get into the “what” of neighborhood engagement! We’ll explore the programs FCS is involved in, as well as the partnerships we maintain. We hope this gives you a better understanding of what sorts of things might work in your neighborhood, and who you could try and connect with.
Empowering Youth
Some of the most significant work that we do at FCS is small, quiet, and often goes unnoticed outside of the neighborhood. One of those crucial works is walking alongside children and teenagers. In this episode, we’ll talk with three people engaged in youth development at FCS: Michelle Witherspoon, Mikayla Santos, and Joel Barber. Their passion for building community among youth in South Atlanta inspires us each day, and we hope it does the same for you.
Becoming a Place-Based Leader
These days, there are thousands of resources available on how to become a great leader. However, the resources are pretty thin if the context of your leadership is not an organization or business, but a place. Being a place-based leader often comes without a title, authority, or compensation. Instead, being a place-based leader has to do with the quality of one’s character and their commitment to coalition-building. In today’s episode, Shawn discusses what it means to become a place-based leader, alongside returning guests Stacy Brungardt, Stephen Causby, and Pamela Stringfield.
Civic Infrastructure & Credible Leadership
In this week’s episode, we’ll continue our discussion around the importance of social cohesion when it comes to holistic neighborhood development. If you haven’t already listened to last week’s episode, “Sense of Place and Neighborhood Connectivity,” we recommend starting there. We are excited to get into the conversation surrounding the last two of the four indicators that define social cohesion: civic infrastructure and credible leadership. This episode features lead consultant Stephen Causby, and Tanisha Corporal — a South Atlanta neighbor, Civic League co-chair, and member of the FCS Senior Board.
Sense of Place & Neighborhood Connectivity
In this next episode focused on Neighborhood Engagement, we’ll focus on the importance of social cohesion when it comes to holistic neighborhood development. The strength of connectedness people share with one another is a vital factor that contributes to neighborhood health. We are excited to get into the conversation surrounding two of the four indicators that define social cohesion: sense of place, and neighborhood connectivity. This episode features none other than Director of Neighborhood Engagement at FCS, Pamela Stringfield, and former Executive Director of FCS, Katie Delp.
Proximity Matters
We’re excited to release the first episode for season 2 of Place Matters! This season, you’ll hear all about one of the pillars of FCS: Neighborhood Engagement. In this first episode, we’ll introduce the “big idea” of Neighborhood Engagement. Join Shawn and Pamela in a conversation about why we do Neighborhood Engagement, and why we think proximity is a non-negotiable in holistic neighborhood development.
Season 1: Foundations
The Neighborhood-Centric City
For the final episode of season one of Place Matters, we’re excited to bring you a conversation between Shawn Duncan and two influential members of the Atlanta community: David Edwards, who is the Neighborhood Policy Advisor to current Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and Shirley Franklin, who served as the 58th Mayor of Atlanta. They’ll discuss these critical questions: How can cities begin to place neighborhoods as the center of their plans for growth and change? What does it take to make cities places where all people have the chance to thrive?
What Is A Flourishing Neighborhood?
Next up in our Foundations Series, Shawn and David discuss a core question – what is a flourishing neighborhood? How do you define it, and how do you measure it? Measuring success in poverty alleviation is not as simple as you might think. So where do we begin?
Racial Equity Is More Than A Priority
This episode will explore the intersection of race and poverty. Though it is dangerous to conflate race with poverty, there has been a history of disinvestment and high poverty rates in black and brown neighborhoods that demands our attention. Because of this, the pursuit of racial equity must be at the center of everything we do. Join us for a conversation around why racial equity is more than just a priority for FCS, and in holistic, place-based work.
Mission and Values, Part 2: Neighboring and Dignity
This episode is the fourth installment in the Foundations series, which will look at the foundational values, principles, and processes that make FCS uniquely FCS. In this episode, we’ll take a look at two of the core values that drives the mission of FCS: neighboring and dignity. You can find our discussion of the third value, development, in last week’s episode.
Mission and Values, Part 1: Development
This episode is the third installment in the Foundations series, which will look at the foundational values, principles, and processes that make FCS uniquely FCS. In this episode, we’ll take a look at one of the core values that drives the mission of FCS: development.
Neighborhood as the Unit of Change
This episode is the next installment in the Foundations series, which will look at the foundational values, principles, and processes that make FCS uniquely FCS. In this episode, we’ll talk about why we believe that neighborhoods are the unit of change.
Our Big Idea
In this episode, Shawn Duncan and David Park discuss the “big idea” that makes FCS — well, FCS! When it comes to addressing chronic material poverty, we might have the right answer, but we’ve been asking the wrong question. To create real change, it might be time to ask something different.