Welcome to WakeUP Wake County’s April 2024 Newsletter

April has been a busy month for WakeUP as we continue to re-engage our community and build partnerships throughout Wake County.  

Just this month alone we:

• Attended the Smart Growth America Equity Summit
• Met at the Midtown Raleigh Alliance to discuss transit updates
• Held our annual board retreat for strategic planning
• Welcomed over 20 members for our first ever Virtual MeetUP
• WakeUP is proud to be the recipient of the City of Raleigh’s Environmental Award.  We continue to be grateful for municipalities that prioritize and honor efforts in sustainability and environmental health!

Smart Growth America - Equity Summit:

WakeUP represented Wake County at the Smart Growth America's Equity Summit.  This was an opportunity to engage with advocates and thought leaders from across the nation, including sessions and panel discussions on building community momentum, structural setbacks to advance equity, and a chance to hear from a diverse field of experts including: transportation, housing, and the civic sector -  reflecting on strategies to center equity despite challenges such as the recent Supreme Court decision overturning affirmative action and diminished corporate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Overall, the Equity Summit underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to advance equity in urban planning and development. 

Midtown Raleigh Alliance - Timely Transit:

As Denzel continues to meet local and community leaders, he attended Midtown Raleigh Alliance’s recent Timely Transit event.  Local leaders gathered to discuss the status of current projects. 

The discussions at the event highlighted the interconnectedness of transportation, economic development, and urban planning. As our region experiences unprecedented growth, it is essential to prioritize transit solutions that are both efficient and sustainable. Collaboration between government agencies, businesses, and community organizations will be key to shaping the future of transportation in our area. 

Most importantly, it’s a reminder that proactive planning and investment in transit infrastructure is needed to address the needs of this growing community.

Raleigh Environmental Award:

WakeUP was honored to be chosen as the 2024 recipient of The Raleigh Environmental Award for  “Community Action”.  The award was given in honor of our work in educating and mobilizing residents  around the environmental impact of: transit, affordable housing and land use.  We appreciate the recognition and all the City of Raleigh does to highlight the need for environmental action and accountability.

WakeUP’s work in engaging community dialogue around these issues continues as we work to ensure the  health and sustainability of our community for tomorrow!  Click here to learn more about The Raleigh Environmental Awards and see the other community leaders in this area.

WakeUP in the News:

Raleigh City Council toured the New Bern BRT route April 9th with City Planners to get a better sense of the project and proposals before them with TOD zoning.

WakeUP Executive Director, Denzel Burnside, had an opportunity to talk with ABC 11's Sean Coffey about WakeUP's efforts in supporting the TOD rezoning as a means of adding affordable housing that connects people to transit and jobs along New Bern.

Watch the story here

In case you missed it - WakeUP April Highlights:

April is Fair Housing Month - a celebration of legal, equitable access to housing free of discrimination along the lines of race, religion, color of skin, family status, nationality, or disability.  WakeUP Board Member and housing advocate, Hattie Gawande, took a look at the impact of this historic act locally. (For additional resources on this topic, check out Fair Housing Project’s website).

In addition, April is a month to highlight Landscape Architecture.  As a grassroots nonprofit focused on community growth and development, Landscape Architects play a key role at the intersection of development and sustainability.  Learn more from Board Member Jon Blasco.

Events:

• Wake County Housing Program Presentation (4/30)
• Raleigh Bike Bonanza (5/3)
• Wake Forest Bicycle Safety Rodeo (5/4)
• Cary Marbles Bike Rodeo (5/4)
• Knightdale Bicycle Rodeo (5/11)
• Raleigh Bike to Work Pit Stops (5/16)

Surveys:

• Raleigh Stormwater Design Manual Comments (5/1)
• Apex Transit Prioritization Survey (5/15)
• Raleigh Southern Station Area Planning Options and Concepts Survey
• Smart Growth America Accessible Streetscape Design Survey for the Disability Community 

Citizen Positions:

• Garner Planning Commission
• Raleigh Environmental Advisory Board
• Apex Various Advisory Boards
• Morrisville Environment and Stormwater Committee

Citizen Classes:

• Raleigh Neighborhood College Fall 2024 Application (7/1)
• Knightdale Mayor’s Academy Interest Form 

For more information and opportunities, check out our Community Engagement page