Javan Blackshear joined the Design Trust for Public Space in 2018 as an Opening the Edge Fellow. This project is very special to him because it is taking place within his own public housing development, Lillian Wald. Javan has a strong interest in urban planning and aspires to become a major voice for mass transit, public spaces, and high-quality affordable housing.

As a lifelong New Yorker, he witnessed to the changes New York went through since the turn of the century. His opinion is: “change is a mixed bag.” He understands that although crime has dropped significantly (New York is safer than ever), the quality of life for many New Yorkers also dropped significantly. As a Design Trust Fellow, Javan sees his fellowship as a stepping stone into a great career in Urban Planning, and in his words: “to make New York City a better place to live, work, and play!”

Javan Blackshear holds an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Southern New Hampshire University.