From Jackson, Mississippi to Brooklyn, New York, I’ve seen how neighborhoods define themselves through history, design, and how people use their spaces — but these places don’t exist without the people in them. My research explores non-traditional placemaking methods, using storytelling and hands-on design experiments to connect people within their own neighborhoods and with those outside their community. In both my work and observations, I’ve found that when these connections disappear, trust, opportunity, and belonging fade — but when people engage across neighborhoods, perceptions shift, empathy grows, and communities thrive. 

My research looks at how neighborhoods form identity through history, design, and the way people use their spaces – from the industrial edges of Brooklyn to the quiet, underused streets of Jackson, Mississippi. These images capture both personal documentation and influential references: places in transition, community-driven projects I’ve participated in, and examples of creative placemaking that transform public space. Together, they tell the story of why community connection matters – showing the environments, people, and design approaches that shaped my thesis on placemaking and social integration. 

Process Book