JANE’S WALK MACON 2021
FRIDAY, MAY 7 TO SUNDAY, MAY 9
Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free, community-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs.
On the first weekend of May every year, Jane’s Walk festivals take place in hundreds of cities around the world. Jane’s Walks encourage people to share stories about their neighborhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and use walking as a way to connect with their neighbors.
HOW TO JOIN A WALK
Check the schedule below and join as many walks as you’d like. Note that some walks will be shared virtually and some meet outdoors and in person.
Arrive at the meeting location 10 minutes before the walk and wear your walking shoes.
Enjoy your walk! Bring a friend, participate in the discussion, and ask questions.
All walks are FREE to attend, and there is no registration.
JANE’S WALK 2021 SCHEDULE
Friday, May 7, 2021
Greenwood Bottom
WALK LEADER: WESTON STROUD
WHEN AND WHERE: MAY 7 AT 4:00 pm | Virtual ON BIKE WALK MACON’S FACEBOOK PAGE | 1 HOUR
Join us on Facebook Live at Greenwood Bottom Macon’s Black Wall Street - In Downtown Macon, Georgia the Greenwood Bottom District during the era of segregation flourished as the epicenter of African American culture, particularly on Hazel Street where the Roxy Theater was located. 2021 is the 100-year anniversary of the Greenwood Massacre or the Tulsa Race Riot which began during Memorial Day weekend May 31, 1921 and ended by noon on Jun 1, 1921 when Oklahoma National Guard imposed Martial Law. Join Weston Stroud as he takes us on a tour of this historic district and includes the famous Roxy Theatre.
About the host: Weston Stroud is a Transit Planner with the Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority who majored in Environmental Policy and Urban design at SUNY-ESF in a dual enrollment program with Syracuse University. He has been working with the Transit Authority since 2018 and serves as president of the Bike Walk Macon Board of Directors. In 2020 Weston with the support of the 8 80 Cities Emerging City Champions Fellowship program, Weston received a grant to highlight the Greenwood Bottom district and a food truck park.
Tour of Progress
WALK LEADER: JOSH ROGERS
WHEN AND WHERE: MAY 7 AT 5:00 PM | NewTown Macon, 555 Poplar Street, Macon | 1 HOUR
Join Josh Rogers with NewTown Macon for a Tour of Progress in downtown Macon highlighting recent developments and previewing projects that are under construction and in the planning stages.
About the host: Josh Rogers leads the non-profit NewTown Macon, where he works to attract, leverage, and invest in self-sustaining transformation for downtown Macon, Georgia. Rogers innovates creative real estate tools to spark and sustain revitalization in communities desperate for reinvestment. One of Rogers’ signature abilities is to use the market to revitalize cities by lending money and developing property through non-profit organizations. In addition, Rogers leverages infrastructure and programming to increase economic activity, such as reviving Macon’s soap box derby and installing the world’s largest pop-up bike lane network. Rogers serves in several community leadership roles, including the boards for the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning Commission, the One Macon Steering Committee, the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, the Mercer Innovation Center and the Grand Opera House. Rogers holds degrees from Mercer University and the University of York, England and resides in a historic home in downtown Macon with his wife, Meaghan and two young children, Jack and Ellie.
Wandering About Art
WALK LEADERS: YEN-TING AND BRYAN BECK
WHEN AND WHERE: MAY 7 AT 6:30 PM | startup studios, 1055 Riverside Drive, Macon | 1.5 HOURS
Meet at stARTup Studios at 6pm, before your walk to socialize with owners, Yen-Ting and Bryan Beck. At 6:30 they will guide you around the downtown core of Macon, through alleyways and painted streets they will showcase some of the new, unique and colorful works of art created by Georgian Artists, near and far.
About the hosts: Bryan and Yen-Ting Beck both own stARTup Studios and hold their MFA in art from Southern Illinois University. They have both been living in Macon for 3 years and have worked on projects such as the I heart Macon Sculpture at Daisy Park and the Creative Crosswalks Project near Mt. De Sales.
saturdaY, May 8, 2021
Traffic Calming Walking Tour and Workshop
walk leader: rachel umana
when and where: MAY 8 AT 9:00 am | Tattnall Square Park Parking Lot on Oglethorpe | 1.5 HOURS
Take a walk with Bike Walk Macon’s executive director, Rachel Umana, from Tattnall Square Park to nearby neighborhoods. Along the way, Rachel will stop and highlight several interventions that Bike Walk Macon has led in the past to improve mobility in Macon, including intersection murals, artistic crosswalks, and Macon’s first green bike lane. Participants will get a special opportunity to participate in a small traffic calming intervention.
About the host: Rachel Umana is the founder and executive director of Bike Walk Macon, where she works to make bicycling and walking safe, fun, and convenient for everyone in Macon-Bibb County, Georgia. She is a Mercer University graduate, with a B.A. in Social Entrepreneurship, Psychology, and Spanish. Rachel serves in several community leadership roles, including the boards for the Macon Transit Authority and the Macon-Bibb Pedestrian Safety Review Board.
Restoring the Love for Community in Fort Hill
WALK LEADERs: Member of Kingdom Life - Veronica McClendon, Tamiko McNair, Chiquita McNair-Glover, Tasha Pettigrew
WHEN AND WHERE: MAY 8 AT 10:00 AM | Rosa Jackson Rec Center, 1211 Maynard St. | 1 HOUR
This walk is an opportunity for current and former residents of Fort Hill, and others who are interested in the history of the community, to remember the sense of community that once existed in Fort Hill and imagine what it would take to restore that sense of community. Members of Kingdom Life, Veronica McClendon, Tamiko McNair, Chiquita McNair-Glover, Tasha Pettigrew will be asking about the history of Fort Hill from the perspective of those connected to it - particularly what were the important landmarks, who were the people who made a mark, and why? They will also explore what people would like to see in the community and together craft a vision for a beautiful future.
About the Hosts:
The walk leaders are members of Kingdom Life and have a heart for the community of Fort Hill. Chiquita, Tasha, and Tamiko grew up in Fort Hill and have fond childhood memories of the area. Veronica is from the Atlanta area, and lives in a nearby part of East Macon and is always curious about "what was" in Fort Hill. All walk leaders are passionate about their community and how to move it forward in the near future.
Come Take a Walk with Dsto
WALK LEADER: DSTO MOORE
WHEN AND WHERE: MAY 8 AT 11:00 AM | Little Richard House, 416 Craft Street, Macon | 1 HOUR
Dsto Moore wants to share with people from all Races, Demographics, and Genders a walk through the Historic Pleasant Hill Neighborhood to show some of the History and the Future that is taking place inside of this fascinating historic neighborhood. Pleasant Hill is an African American neighborhood in Macon that developed during the post-Civil War era to become a thriving community of middle-class African Americans. The neighborhood’s history sheds light on how African Americans built a community of residences, churches, schools, parks, and community centers in the realities of a segregated society.
About the Host: Dsto (Don’t Stop Trying to Overcome) Moore is a Macon, GA-based photographer who specializes in capturing real life. Since picking up a camera in 2015, he has taken his craft to the streets creating photo series such as Macon Music, Women’s Empowerment Project, We are Pleasant Hill, Macon Hidden Gems, and the My Bike Photo Series for Bike Walk Macon. His positive demeanor, desire to connect with the people in his community and enthusiasm for his craft bring a real-life perspective to his work. His unique ability to feel comfortable in a variety of situations, communities, and spaces allows him the freedom to capture real life as he sees it.
Women of Pleasant Hill
WALK LEADER: TONJA KHABIR
Meeting Location: MAY 8 AT 12:30 PM | Little Richard House, 416 Craft Street, Macon | 1.5 HOURS
In honor of Mother's Day, Tonja Khabir will present the Women of Pleasant Hill Tour. The tour highlights the dynamic women who breathed life into the Pleasant Hill Community since its founding in 1879. We visit historical and cultural assets that were created, led, and impacted by women, who have oftentimes been left out of the story. We will learn about Ozzie Bell McKay, Amelia Hutchings, Cleopatra Love, Minnie Smith and so many more.
About the Host: Tonja Khabir is a social entrepreneur and social justice advocate. She has worked with teams to mobilize philanthropic initiatives including the Central Georgia Empowerment Fund, a black giving circle promoting inclusion of black leadership in philanthropy, as well as the Black Business Support Fund, supporting black businesses disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. She has also partnered with the Pleasant Hill Neighborhood Organization to mobilize community, decrease blight and highlight the history and culture of the area.
Park Rx: Let Nature Be Thy Medicine
WALK LEADER: NANCY CLEVELAND
meeting location: MAY 8 AT 1:30 PM | Filmore Thomas Park, 3793 Log Cabin Dr. | 1 HOUR
The US Census Bureau reported that Georgia has the nation’s third-highest rate of people without health insurance. It had the fourth-highest percentage in 2017, so conditions or only getting worse and will likely be even more impacted by COVID-19. In addition, Georgia ranks 51 out of all states for access to mental health according to Mental Health America. Explore your inner-outer space with Nancy! Come explore the newly designed Filmore Thomas Park, one of Macon’s 140+ parks and discuss these issues and how the new Mental Health Matter Macon Initiative will team up with Macon Head Space to address them in our community.
About the Walk Leader: Nancy earned her Bachelor of Science in Advertising in 2012 from Syracuse University and is the Executive Director of Macon Head Space. This mental health wellness nonprofit launched Macon-Bibb Parks Prescriptions (MBC Park Rx) a program that encourages doctors to prescribe parks to people in order to decrease the burden of chronic disease, increase health and happiness, and foster environmental stewardship. MBC Park Rx’s primary program, Walk With A Doc Macon, is powered by The Medical Center - Navicent Health for two years with lead physician Dr. Harry Strothers III, MD at 8:30am in Amerson River Park every first Saturday of the month.
SUNDAY, May 9, 2021
A Change is Gonna Come! Napier Heights Neighborhood Walk
WALK LEADER: ANDREA COOKE
WHEN AND WHERE: MAY 9 AT 9 AM | BEGINS AT Winship Elementary (2560 Beech Ave), ends at Central HS | 1 HOUR
This walk will focus on the work to revitalize the community that Andrea Cooke resides in. We will talk about what the houses looked like when she was a kid growing up in Napier Heights. We will talk about how connected the community was when all of the schools were community schools and we will visit those schools during our walk. Andrea hopes people see this community through her eyes and get excited about the magic that she gets to live every day!
About the Host: Andrea Cooke is a married mother of eight. She is an MFT doctoral candidate in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Antioch University in Keene, NH. She received her bachelor's degree in Social Work from THE Fort Valley State University. She went on to obtain a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mercer University in Macon. She currently works in development and as a Masters level clinician at the Southern Center for Choice Theory, a small counseling agency, working with vulnerable populations.
Macon’s Historic Theatres
WALK LEADER: JULIA RUBENS
WHEN AND WHERE: MAY 9 AT 10:30 AM | Grand Opera House, 651 Mulberry Street, Macon | 1.5 HOURS
Macon's unique music heritage and creative vibrance partially comes from its historic live performance venues. On Little Richard Memorial Day and during the 100th anniversary of The Douglass Theatre, take this walk with Julia Rubens to learn a few fun facts about the past and future of these spaces as well as sharing memories of your own.
About the Host: Julia Rubens is a producer and communicator working at the intersections of Mercer University and downtown on behalf of a variety of vibrant arts organizations as the Director of Arts Marketing.
Soul Searchin’ at Linwood Cemetery
WALK LEADER: Y-O LATIMORE
WHEN AND WHERE: MAY 9 AT 3 PM | LInwood Cemetery 120 Pursley St., Macon, GA | 1 HOUR
Y-O Latimore’s walk will share a brief history of Historic Linwood Cemetery as it pertains to Pleasant Hill, Macon, United States, and the world. Dr. Thomas Duval will join the walk to add his insight as a historian on the journey. The attendees will learn the sacredness and significance of Historic Linwood Cemetery.
About the Host: Yolanda "Y-O" Latimore is a poet and native of Macon, GA. Since 2009, her livelihood comes from running Like Water Publicity: An advertising and booking agency. Her calling and passion lie within the world of creatives. Y-O wrote and performed her first poem, titled "Kujichagulia," in December 1991. As a community activist, she works to help preserve Historic Linwood Cemetery and its rich history. Sharing the history that lies in those sacred grounds is essential to help our community bridge gaps of economics, culture, and racism.
WHO IS JANE JACOBS?
Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was an urbanist and activist whose writings championed a fresh, community-based approach to city building. Jacobs saw cities as integrated systems that had their own logic and dynamism which would change over time according to how they were used. With an eye for detail, she wrote eloquently about sidewalks, parks, retail design and self-organization. She promoted higher density in cities, short blocks, local economies and mixed uses. Jacobs helped derail the car-centred approach to urban planning in both New York and Toronto, invigorating neighborhood activism by helping stop the expansion of expressways and roads. A firm believer in the importance of local residents having input on how their neighborhoods develop, Jacobs encouraged people to familiarize themselves with the places where they live, work, and play.
Lead a Jane’s Walk!
Anyone can lead a Jane’s Walk because everyone is an expert on the places they live, work, and play. Jane Jacobs believed that the people best equipped to understand cities and make decisions about them are “ordinary, interested citizens”. She intuited that getting to know our neighborhoods and each other is the foundation of city-building. Jane’s Walk Leaders help people get to know their communities by gathering people outside of their homes, offices, and cars to exchange knowledge, tell stories, and share experiences.
What makes a walk a Jane’s Walk?
There are three things that make a walk a Jane’s Walk:
Free, volunteer-led, and open to everyone
There can be no registration, fee, or donation associated with leading or participating in a Jane’s Walk.Non-commercial and non-partisan
They cannot be used to promote a business or a candidate running for office.Seek to promote dialogue
Jane’s Walks are dialogues that seek to engage participants in conversation. They are not walking lectures.
Getting Started
Here’s how to lead a Jane’s Walk in 5 simple steps.
Decide on a topic, theme, or neighborhood to explore.
Think of a place or idea you’d like to explore in your city. What do you know that you want to share with your community? What do you not know that you want to learn about? What do you care about and wish others cared about, too? What do you love about your city? What would make your city better? For ideas and inspiration, check out the city pages on the Jane’s Walk website for photos and stories from walks that have taken place around the world.Plan your route and discussion.
Plan a route and stops. Walks can happen anywhere, from bustling downtowns to suburban neighborhoods. Most walks include 3-7 stops, but many walks are much longer or shorter. Decide what you want to talk about. Remember that this isn’t a lecture and you don’t need to be an expert in history, architecture, heritage, or urban planning. A Jane’s Walk is a unique story about how you see, interact with, and feel about a place or topic. Pick a date and time. Most walks happen during the global festival in the first weekend of May, but they can also take place all throughout the year — both day and night.Consider accessibility.
While the nature of some neighborhoods, routes, and the act of walking itself means that not every walk will be fully accessible, we hope you will be conscious of accessibility and thoughtful about your route. Try to strike a balance between talking, movement, and rest. Think about stops that have access to water fountains, restrooms, benches, and shaded areas to recharge. Consider terrain, curbs, staircases, gates, and other barriers that could hinder someone’s ease of movement. Think about whether there are portions of your walk with dim lighting, underpasses, strong odors, excessively loud noises, traffic, or large crowds. Everyone experiences space differently, so think broadly and empathetically about what could make others feel physically vulnerable or even unsafe. Also, consider how you will speak on your walk. Avoid jargon and brainstorm ways of speaking and asking questions that will engage a wide range of participants. Think about what language you will speak and whether you might want volunteer translators or interpreters.Get the word out.
Bike Walk Macon will help with this, but you should also promote your walk yourself. Create a Facebook event or share on Twitter. Use the hashtag #janeswalkmacon on social media accounts to promote your walk. Talk to neighbors, store owners along the route, and friends! You can also ask local community groups to help spread the word.Lead your Walk!
You’re all ready, Walk Leader! Go for it, share your stories, and don’t forget to have fun!