"Equitable Recovery: Insights for Mobilizing Philanthropy, Financial Institutions, and Research Organizations

Happy New month!

January has been a month of upheaval—one that has tested the resilience of communities, families, and the very foundations of stability we often take for granted. Yet, if history has taught me anything, it’s that February always carries the promise of recovery and renewal.

As a native of Altadena, I’ve been open about my family’s journey—our migration from Texas to Watts, then to Compton when my grandmother purchased her first home after becoming a registered nurse. She raised my mother in Compton’s thriving Black middle class of the 1950s and ’60s, a place of opportunity and community pride. Inspired by those same values, she later chose to raise me and my twin brother in Altadena, an enclave known for its tight-knit community, safety, and natural beauty nestled against the San Gabriel Mountains.

For generations, Altadena has been more than just a foothill community—it has been a sanctuary. A place where families know and look out for one another. But in an instant, the fires changed everything.

Having spent my career in community and economic development, urban planning, and government innovation, I know that effective recovery requires:

- Asset Mapping – Identifying existing community infrastructure and where the gaps/opportunities for the greatest impact are.

- Strategic Planning – Designing a long-term, sustainable recovery model.

- Technology & Data – Ensuring aid is deployed efficiently, securely, equitably, and with impact (and precision).

I’m grateful that my work equips me with the tools to close gaps in access to resources—but we must mobilize together. Philanthropy, financial institutions, and research organizations will be key players in ensuring that the recovery in Altadena—and beyond—is equitable and future-proofed.

I’ll be sharing insights on what’s essential to rebuilding stronger in the coming days and an announcement that is close to my heart! 

#ResilientCommunities #EconomicDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #Govtech #DisasterRecovery #Equity #Philanthropy #AltadenaRecovery