Dreaming as a Form of Revolution with Yodit Mesfin Johnson & Shauen Pearce

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When Black Americans are tired by a tumultuous time, and already carrying the weight of burdens that began long before the pandemic, how are city-builders remaining steadfast in imagining and creating more just and beautiful communities? In this episode of Urban Consulate Confidential, host Orlando P. Bailey sits down with Yodit Mesfin Johnson, president and CEO of NEW (Detroit), and Shauen Pearce, economic development and inclusion policy director to Mayor Jacob Frey (Minneapolis), for a candid cross-city conversation rooted in radical truth, joy and love.

“When Black people move ahead, the world moves forward,” says Pearce. “What’s so great is that our dreams are so possible. We can do it!”

“Absolutely!” agrees Mesfin Johnson. “This is what the oppressor seeks to do — to rob us of our dreams, our aspirations, our visions, our hopes. And so a form of revolution is to dream.”

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Watch the complete third episode below:

Urban Consulate brings people together to share ideas for better cities. Urban Consulate Confidential is presented with Next City and made possible by the Ford Foundation. Directed by Charles Ashley. Co-Produced by Orlando P. Bailey and Claire Nelson. Music by Kick Lee. Photography by Valaurian Waller and JP Leong. Recorded at The Cochrane House in Detroit.

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Urban Consulate brings people together to share ideas for better cities. Urban Consulate Confidential is presented with Next City and made possible by the Ford Foundation.