Low-income communities and communities of color have been and continue to be disproportionately harmed by our approach to transportation in the United States. To address the longstanding inequities caused by divisive infrastructure, USDOT distributed several billion dollars to over 200 projects through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program and Neighborhood Access and Equity Grants. While some of these grants were awarded to projects that intended to heal divided communities, others went to highway expansions. To take a closer look at how the program has played out on the ground, including what’s working and what needs to be improved upon, the team at Transportation for America is putting together a panel to answer the question, “did the program achieve what it set out to?”

Moderated by Beth Osborne, SGA’s Vice President of Transportation and Thriving Communities, the conversation in this panel will break down what it actually takes to mend the disconnections caused by transportation infrastructure decisions. We’ll explore the successes and learnings from the Reconnecting Communities Program with Christopher Coes, Former Acting Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy at U.S. Department of Transportation. Then, we’ll have a discussion with these community leaders doing the work on the ground to reconnect their communities:

Christopher Coes, Former Acting Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy at U.S. Department of Transportation
Christopher is an experienced senior executive with an demonstrated history of advancing responsible development and investment practices that create vibrant, equitable walkable communities. He is skilled in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), Equitable Transit-Oriented Development, Nonprofit Organizations Management, Grassroots Organizing, Government Affairs, Coalitions, and Fundraising. He’s a strong business development professional with an M.A focused in Government and Politics (Public Administration and International Relations) from Saint John’s University.

 

 

 

 

 

Monica L. Robinson, Council Member, City of Harrisonburg, VA
Monica Robinson is a dedicated community advocate and public servant, currently serving a term from 2023 to 2026 as a member of the Harrisonburg City Council. Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, and raised in Harrisonburg, Virginia, she has deep roots in the community. Monica serves as the Executive Director of the Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project. Her extensive civic involvement includes roles such as President of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham NAACP (four terms: 2002-2004, 2016-present), board member of various local organizations, and participation in numerous committees focused on social justice, education, and community development.She is a proud mother of one son and grandmother to five grandchildren. Monica cherishes the cultural diversity of Harrisonburg, valuing the opportunity to learn from her neighbors who now call the city their home.

 

 

 

Ramon Cruz Jr., Director of Quality of Life & Community, HACE, Chicago, IL
Ramon Cruz Jr. serves as the Director of Quality of Life & Community at the Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterprises (HACE). A native of Kensington, he now resides in Harrowgate and leads initiatives aimed at enhancing livability in the Fairhill and Kensington areas. With extensive community experience, Ramon previously worked as a Special Initiative Specialist for the City of Philadelphia, contributing significantly to the establishment of a Community Wellness Engagement Unit. His active participation on various boards, such as the Kensington Community Trust and the Community Advisory Board for the Division of Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, reflects his strong commitment to community-focused projects. Recently appointed to Mayor Parker’s Latino Advisory
Committee, Ramon is poised to advocate for the Latino community, driven by his personal experiences and dedication to community service.