Justin Entzminger
Innovation Practice Director, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University
Terrance Smith
Bloomberg Public Innovation Fellow, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center For Public Innovation
Tracy M. Colunga
Civic Engagement Director, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University
Mai-Ling Garcia
Digital Practice Director, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation
Summary
The role of innovator and civic designer is often one that pushes for change, sees things through a different lens. However, people with marginalized identities are often challenged to be seen, heard, and make an impact in work places. We will chat about our challenges as innovators in homogeneous spaces, but also tactics and tools we can use to help diverse groups of people be champions of change in civic spaces. This session will unpack the ways in which our hidden biases can minimize the contributions of designers and how we can uplift groups of people as champions of change.
Key Insights
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City Hall is often risk-averse, making innovation challenging for public sector designers.
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Professionals of color face additional disincentives to take risks in their careers.
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Creating an environment that welcomes failure is essential for meaningful design work.
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Elevating lived experiences through intentional hiring can improve community engagement.
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Utilizing familiar design instruments in civic contexts, like post-it notes, helps democratize discussions.
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Building trust within communities is crucial for effective public engagement.
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Collaboration with local institutions can foster a new generation of designers reflective of the community.
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Engaging community members in defining their needs can create more effective public services.
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Challenging traditional hiring practices can open doors for diverse candidates.
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Documenting community narratives and histories is vital for meaningful design processes.
Notable Quotes
"City Hall is a risk-averse place."
"Creating an environment where failure is welcomed can enhance innovation."
"It’s worth taking the risk to ask community members what they want."
"As an innovator, proving your authority in a traditional space can be a challenge."
"It’s essential that the design team reflects the community we serve."
"User-centered design resonates when our designers look like the community."
"Using tools like the mirror app helps validate community voices."
"Our approaches need to be tailored to our specific local contexts."
"Flexible meeting spaces help foster better conversations among diverse community members."
"Engaging with historically black colleges and universities can enhance our pool of diverse applicants."
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