Participatory Design - Johnny Hartman Plaza

As an environmental educator and organizer with The Brotherhood Sister Sol in Harlem, I am leading youth in a participatory design process for the permanent redesign of Johnny Hartman Plaza. After six years of review, NYC DOT has approved the plaza’s transition from a semi-permanent to a permanent space, with construction set to begin in 2026. Public funding has been secured, and the project is currently in the design phase.

Since its inauguration in 2019, The Brotherhood Sister Sol and Pratt Institute have served as stewards of the plaza, fostering community use and youth leadership. Building on this history, our members are now trained to co-facilitate a participatory design process that centers local perspectives, needs, and cultural values.

In Summer 2025, I trained a cohort of BroSis members to lead data collection, community interviews, and site observations. Together, we will complete the design proposals by the end of 2025, with the goal of DOT and DDC approval for the permanent renovation plans. In May 2026, our team will present the project at the NYCxDesign Festival, sharing how youth-driven, community-informed design can shape public space in Harlem.