Featured Presenters
Tyree Guyton, Founder
Jenenne Whitfield, Executive Director
Heidelberg Project
Detroit, Michigan
Primarily a painter and sculptor, Tyree Guyton has also been described as an urban environmental artist. He has waged a personal war on urban blight on Detroit’s East Side, transforming first a street in his neighborhood, and then two city blocks into a living indoor/outdoor art gallery by using discarded objects he found - everything from old shoes to bicycles to baby dolls - to embellish abandoned houses, sidewalks and empty lots. Through his art, Tyree has drawn attention to the plight of Detroit’s forgotten neighborhoods and spurred discussion and action. He continues to live and work in the city, working with children on Heidelberg Street almost daily as he guides the Heidelberg Project forward with energy and inspiration
Jenenne Whitfield serves as the Executive Director of the critically acclaimed Heidelberg Project. Prior to her involvement she had a successful career in banking. Under Ms. Whitfield’s direction, The Heidelberg Project has expanded its goals to include acquisition and restoration of property in the Heidelberg area, development of an artist-in-residence program and implementation of community art and education programs. Her leadership and commitment have enabled the project to extend its reach by participating in joint projects with museums, universities and other educational organizations. Her relentless enthusiasm and tireless efforts have won increasing support and respect for this often-controversial endeavor.
Jay Williams, Mayor
City of Youngstown, Ohio
Jay Williams has attracted widespread attention since he became the first African-American to be elected mayor of Youngstown, Ohio in November 2005. His election was a historic event viewed by many political observers as a watershed moment in the changing political landscape of the community. He was also the first independent candidate to win the mayoral seat in more than 80 years.
Youngstown has moved progressively under Mayor Williams’ leadership. The city’s Youngstown 2010 planning and development efforts have been recognized and rewarded by a number of notable national organizations. Mayor Williams has fielded national and international invitations from organizations and communities seeking to learn more about Youngstown’s innovative recovery efforts. More important than improving the national and international reputation of the city, Mayor Williams is leading efforts that have a direct impact on improving the quality of life for the citizens of Youngstown.
Rick Lowe, Founder
Project Row Houses
Houston, Texas
Rick Lowe is founder of Project Row Houses in Houston, TX. As an artist, he has participated in exhibits in major galleries worldwide, worked as a guest artist on community projects around the country, and won many awards. Project Row Houses (PRH) was established in 1993 on a site of 22 abandoned shotgun houses to connect the work of artirts with the revitalization of the community. It was inspired by the work of African-American artist Dr. John Biggers who celebrated the social significance of the shotgun house community in his paintings. After a decade of successfully generating programs that combine arts and cultural education, historic preservation, and community development, the future of the Third Ward is threatened by gentrificiation. To preserve and protect the irreplaceable historic and cultural legacy of our community, PRH spawned a sister organization, the Row House Community Development Corporation.
Michael W. Groman, Senior Director
Philadelphia Green Program
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/phlgreen/index.html
Michael Groman is Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s (PHS) Senior Director of State and National Outreach. Building on his former role as Senior Director of the Society’s acclaimed Philadelphia Green urban greening program, Michael is now heading a new venture to extend the Philadelphia Green model, and its learnings, to other municipalities in the Philadelphia region and across the state of Pennsylvania, helping them to create safer, cleaner and greener communities for people to live, work, and play. On the national scale, Michael is responsible for promoting PHS as a resource to cities that are looking to establish urban greening programs of their own. He’s developing strategic partnerships with complementary national programs and organizations and providing consulting services on a variety of urban greening topics. He has presented at numberous professional conferences including the American Planning Association, the Urban Land Institute, Keep America Beautiful, the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation, and the National Vacant Property Campaign. Michael has been with PHS since 1987 and has a Masters Degree in Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.
