I have always been interested in how cities work. I have always loved writing things. I went off to a major state university, got a communication degree and then started a more professional Blogger site. Then, in my graduate seminar on urban politics, along with browsing the urbanist blogosphere, she realized that her ideas should have a stronger, clearer voice, one that reflects her identity as a Black southern woman. And with that, The Black Urbanist blog was born. Seven years, one Twitter account, one self-published book, two podcasts and a litany of speeches and urban planning projects later, here we are.

Dlaczego jestem na Couchsurfing

Right now I'm really popular on the internet, I love traveling and seeing new cities and getting new perspectives on my urban planning and theory work. One of the best ways to do that is to live like a local and make friends on the ground with people. I was doing some of that in my hometown of Greensboro, and in Kansas City, but I followed my heart to D.C. and it shattered.

I'm picking up the pieces by becoming a better tennis player, mapmaker, and continuing to write and report about what makes communities tick.

Zainteresowania

Writing my blog has been my #1 hobby for so long, I'm in the process of learning how to have solid, sustainable hobbies again. However, the three things above will

• writing
• crochet
• tennis
• travel
• textiles
• transportation
• textile design
• mapmaking

Muzyka, filmy i książki

Music
I will listen to anything besides bro country and metal. I enjoy pretty much anything live. I find myself listening to a lot of soul, both classic and revival, as well as new roots, funk, rap of all kinds and some gospel.
My Spotify playlists are here, this is the best barometer of what my favorites are on a given day.

Movies
I've really been enjoying Girls Trip and movies in that vein, that show successful black women doing awesome things and still finding either love or fulfillment. Oh and Wonder Woman and Black Panther. Same deal, powerful women doing badass shit.

Books
I enjoy reading about people's lives and lately, I've taken to listening to some of my favorite celebrities memoirs. Also, I love reading about the history of retail, home and interior design, the history and design of transportation systems (especially public transit) and a really, really good novel. And a few other stories, but I can share those with you during our visit

Jedna niesamowita rzecz, którą zrobiłem(-am)

Something I thought was amazing was that I recently took my first 12-day road trip. I was giving speeches in two cities, then found some friends to spend more time with and then I was able to go home and say goodbye to a family member.

This is cliche for some, but for me as a black, Southern, queer, middle-class woman, traveling is amazing, especially when I get to do it alone and have a ton of fun.

Ucz innych, ucz się sam, udostępniaj

--I want to become a better cartographer. I've always loved maps and it's a skill I want to hone
--I want to find sewing buddies. I have so many textile pattern designs, that I want to be able to turn into finished projects and not be afraid of what comes out of my sewing machine.

Czym mogę się podzielić z gospodarzami

-- I can help guests understand why and how cities are changing, from rising rents to the changes in public transportation
--I can help you prepare a classic North Carolinian meal. This differs a bit from what you would know as a Southern meal, but it's still very appetizing
--I can help you make a mixtape for any event you might want to put on.
--I can get your family's story, especially if you are of African descent, out into the world

Kraje, w których byłem(-am)

Canada

Kraje, w których mieszkałem(-am)

United States