We are thrilled with the partnership we are building the Ecological Design Collective bringing incredible students to support our community led development vision here in Curtis Bay! The Community of Curtis Bay Association has teamed up with the Collective to form a weekly class focused on supporting community priorities through research and action.
The class is hosted at the Curtis Bay Rec Center and meets every week for several hours. The results from the first semester will be shared soon, and it is expected that the initiative will make a significant difference in the community. One of the most exciting aspects of the initiative is the focus on community-led development. The Community of Curtis Bay Association recognizes that the people who live and work in the community are the experts on the area’s needs and opportunities. This approach ensures that the community’s values and priorities are at the forefront of any proposed developments or initiatives.
Curtis Bay’s very own Shashawnda Campbell co-teaches the course along with Johns Hopkins University Professor Anand Pandian. Shashawnda is a graduate of the nearby Ben Franklin High School, where she founded a student-led group called Free Your Voice. Campbell is passionate about working with young people and empowering them to make a positive impact in their communities. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the course and is an asset to the initiative.
The Community of Curtis Bay Association’s collaboration with the Ecological Design Collective is an example of the type of positive initiative in the community we are working hard to cultivate. Bringing world class educational and research programming to our local Recreation Center will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on Curtis Bay, and the results from the first semester will be eagerly awaited. Stay tuned!