My Black Space

Paul Bauknight Jr.
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Arts

My Black Space — hosted by Paul Bauknight Jr., urbanist, designer, educator, spatial justice activist, and founder and president of the Center for Transformative Urban Design— features candid conversations about spatial justice, community empowerment, and the lived experiences of people in urban spaces. We'll delve into how design and policy intersect with race, culture, and equity.

  1. 20h ago

    Reimagining the Future of Downtown Minneapolis with Adam Duininck

    Downtown Minneapolis is at a turning point—and the decisions made now will help shape the city for years to come. Adam Duininck, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District, joins Paul Bauknight to explore how downtown has changed, what challenges it faces today, and what it will take to create a more vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive city center. From the effects of suburban growth and the pandemic to office vacancies and shifting patterns of public life, this conversation looks at the forces that have reshaped downtown. Adam explains how the Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District work across business, arts, nonprofits, housing, and public spaces—and why a strong downtown matters to the entire region, not just the people who work there. How downtown Minneapolis evolved and what’s driving its current challengesWhy downtown’s vitality matters to the city and the wider regionHow the Downtown Improvement District supports a cleaner, safer, greener, and more active coreWhat office occupancy and vacancies mean for downtown streets and businessesHow places like Nicollet Mall, Loring Park, the riverfront, and the Commons fit into downtown’s futureWhy the skyway system can be both an asset and a challengeWhat could make downtown more accessible to families, young people, and regional visitorsHow events, youth programs, affordability, and smarter parking strategies can help bring people downtownWhy inclusive growth and thoughtful placemaking are essential to building a downtown that serves everyoneRather than trying to recreate the downtown of the past, Adam makes the case for imagining what comes next. This episode offers a candid look at the challenges, opportunities, and choices involved in building a more connected and welcoming Minneapolis.

  2. Oct 7

    The Community-Led Blueprint for Rebuilding Black Wealth with Azalea Renfield and Ta'Neshia Renae`

    In Portland’s Albina neighborhood, a community-led project is turning the legacy of displacement into a path toward Black homeownership and generational wealth.  Azalea Renfield and Ta'Neshia Renae` of Williams Russell CDC reveal how a 1.7-acre site in Portland's Albina neighborhood is being transformed into homes, apartments, a business hub, and a culturally specific daycare – all designed to repair decades of displacement, not just build new real estate. Azalea, the CEO of Williams Russell CDC, and Ta'Neshia, the deputy executive director, bring lived experience, policy expertise, and deep community ties to a project that began with a formal apology from the city, millions in public funding, and a community-led process that shaped everything from the board structure to the building mix. What emerges is not top-down development, but a model where the harmed community sets the priorities: ownership, generational wealth, cultural continuity, and economic opportunity. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why reparative development is different from standard affordable housingHow Portland’s preference policy gives displaced families and descendants priorityWhy the project includes 20 townhomes, 85 apartments, and a business hubHow down payment assistance of up to $135,000 is being used to create real wealthWhy community trust, policy, and leadership matter more than developer egoAzalea breaks down the three pillars of reparative development: apology, funding, and community control and explains why this framework is place-based, scalable, and built to work in any city facing the legacy of urban renewal. Ta'Neshia adds the lived reality behind the mission, from surveying more than 140 families to shaping homes that reflect how Black families actually live. This conversation is about what it takes to repair harm at scale, how policy can become a tool for justice, and why this model could reshape the future of community development nationwide. Resources Williams Russell CDC - https://williamsrussellcdc.org Next City Article on Reparative Development - https://nextcity.org/features/black-portlanders-albina-displaced-project-aims-to-aid-in-their-return Azalea Renfield on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/azalea-renfield-mpa-mpp-ms-hrm-07290673/ Ta'Neshia Renae` on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ta-neshia-renae/

  3. Sep 22

    Blue Line Extension, Housing, and Spatial Justice with Rep. Esther Agbaje

    In this episode of My Black Space, Place, Power, and Justice, Paul Bauknight speaks with Rep. Esther Agbaje, Minnesota State Representative for District 59B, about the Blue Line Extension project, housing, and how policy shapes the built environment. The conversation centers on transit, anti-displacement planning, and the connection between infrastructure investment and community well-being. Rep. Agbaje brings both legislative and neighborhood-level perspective from downtown Minneapolis and North Minneapolis, where she has focused on housing rights, transit access, civil rights, and public investment. The discussion makes a clear case for treating transit and housing as interconnected tools for equity.

  4. Aug 31

    What the Blue Line Extension Means for Brooklyn Park with Mayor Hollies Winston

    Mayor Hollies Winston makes the case that the Blue Line Extension is not just a transit project, but a generational opportunity to close gaps in wealth, mobility, and access across the northwest suburbs. He explains why transportation is freedom, why “landlocked” communities keep paying the price, and how this line could help unlock thousands of jobs, new housing, and a biotech district that changes the city’s economic trajectory. If you’ve ever wondered how infrastructure shapes property values, school access, public safety, and who gets left behind, this conversation connects the dots. You’ll hear: Why Brooklyn Park sees the Blue Line as essential to long-term growthHow commercial property values can determine what a city can afford for residentsThe stakes behind the $750 million federal funding opportunityWhy Mayor Winston says the delay is not just logistical, but deeply urgentHow light rail could leverage billions in broader development around housing, biotech, and Brooklyn BoulevardIf you care about the future of the Twin Cities metro, this episode delivers a clear-eyed look at what is really at stake. Essential listening for anyone who wants to understand why this project matters far beyond Brooklyn Park.

  5. Aug 17

    Heritage Park and the Promise of Better Housing with Councilmember Pearll Warren

    Heritage Park is a housing crisis and a warning about what happens when communities are promised “better” and still end up fighting mold, failing windows, water intrusion, and displacement.  Minneapolis Councilmember Pearl Warren joins Paul Bauknight for a conversation about public safety, racialized housing policy, and why fixing the buildings is only the beginning. Warren, who represents North Minneapolis’ 5th Ward, explains why she felt compelled to sound the alarm: she knows what it means to navigate Section 8, public housing, and housing insecurity as a single mother, and she refuses to let residents be treated like they’re disposable. Paul, who worked on the original Heritage Park design, brings the historical context – from the destruction of a predominantly Black and Brown neighborhood to the failed hope of urban renewal and the consent-decree era rebuild.  In this episode, you’ll hear: Why Heritage Park’s conditions feel like a public safety violation, not just deferred maintenanceHow housing instability affects children’s mental health, school readiness, and family wellnessWhy “affordable housing” often means different standards for different peopleThe hidden cost of public-private partnership models that leave maintenance underfundedWhat it actually takes to move from harm to healing: collective accountability, clear standards, and community-wide repair

  6. Jul 15

    Architectural Justice: How Architects Can Lead Social Change

    In this engaging interview, Heather Wilson, EVP and CEO of AIA Oregon, shares her journey from urban planning to leading the architectural profession's advocacy for equity, justice, and community engagement. They explore the political nature of architecture, spatial justice, the impact of current politics on the profession, and how architects can be more active in shaping societal change.

  7. Jun 17

    Disrupting the Status Quo in Urban Design with Liz Ogbu

    In this insightful interview, Liz Ogbu, a designer, urbanist, and spatial justice activist, shares her journey from architecture to transforming unjust urban environments. She discusses the importance of racial and spatial justice, healing communities, and disrupting the status quo to create equitable, thriving spaces.

  8. May 27

    Land and Justice: A Conversation with Tsedey Betru

    In this episode, Paul Bauknight welcomes Tsedey Betru, the director of Just Communities. They discuss Tsedey's journey from Ethiopia to Memphis, her experiences with race, and her career in urban planning. The conversation delves into the evolution of Just Communities, focusing on racial equity and climate resilience.  They also explore challenges in community planning, the impact of political climates on their work, and the importance of community involvement in development projects. The episode concludes with reflections on self-determination and empowerment within communities.

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About

My Black Space — hosted by Paul Bauknight Jr., urbanist, designer, educator, spatial justice activist, and founder and president of the Center for Transformative Urban Design— features candid conversations about spatial justice, community empowerment, and the lived experiences of people in urban spaces. We'll delve into how design and policy intersect with race, culture, and equity.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Bauknight Jr.
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 My Black Space
  • Show Website
    My Black Space