Latest Contributions by LaToyaGray

Hi,Gregory Babinski,  I second Raynah's question and request.  I was on vacation last week for my wedding and missed this opportunity! Sincerely, LaToya ... View more

Hi Christen! Thank you so much for sharing your Asheville Equity project. This is AMAZING and exactly what I want to do in Richmond, Virginia. For two years I have been serving on a committee that is working on the City of Richmond's master plan and one of the takeaways from my experience is the need to tell the story of the destruction and displacement that has hurt the African American community in Richmond. I know all too well the impact because it has hurt my family. I've collected and created a map of displaced residences and businesses from the Downtown Richmond area that I hope to present at a local conference in the Fall. I also want to show the impact that gentrification is having on communities that were already victimized by urban renewal but was not sure how to best display that through maps. Your project is very inspirational and I appreciate you sharing it with our group! Sincerely, LaToya ... View more

Hi Jennifer!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this! This is very helpful. I am trying to encourage people to review and comment on a draft of the City of Richmond (Virginia) Master Plan.  One of the ways in which I'd like to educate people is to show a connection between redlining and the barriers that it created which still exists today. The policy maps you shared will be immensely helpful for my project!  Thanks to all of you at ESRI for creating this group and for sharing these resources!  ... View more

Hi Margot, Thank you for the opportunity! Are submissions for completed maps? I ask because my project is ongoing, but I would love to submit what I have been working on thus far. Also, are Story Maps allowed? Thank you! LaToya ... View more

Greetings!!! This is the group that I've been waiting for!! My name is LaToya Gray and I live in Richmond, Virginia. I am a Masters of Liberal Arts grad student who is applying for a transfer into a graduate Historic Preservation program. I have also been serving on a planning committee that is drafting the City of Richmond's 2020 strategic plan.  It is through this experience that I learned more about the power of maps. Maps that were used to devalue and destroy neighborhoods--including ones that my loved ones resided in.  I wanted to take back some of that power, so I enrolled in a G.I.S. class last fall and received a Fundamentals in G.I.S. certificate and am now working on my own projects. One includes a Story Map which addresses the maps used by planners during the 1940s-1950s to shape the City of Richmond. Another is a map of the residents, businesses and other places that were displaced from the downtown Richmond area during the urban renewal period. Admittedly, the latter has been harder for me because I want to do my best to honor those who experienced such a painful and devastating injustice. I have been looking for a group to share my work with, with understanding that I am a novice at this!  I look forward to suggestions and reading about what others are working on. Thank you so much for creating this group Margot and Clinton! Sincerely, LaToya ... View more