I have been very busy this year and more importantly, I have been able to help create and support quality places; places that are livable, walkable, desirable, and equitable. And not only that but my work has allowed my family to move to a community that better aligns with our values and supports our growth.

Quite literally, millions of Americans live their lives every day without access to necessities, all because they don't drive. In other words, they are living in communities built for cars but not for people. This is not okay.

For years, car companies have been promising freedom. We’ve all seen the commercials. A brand new, shiny car driving through a remote countryside. No other cars in sight. A bottomless gas tank. A woman’s hair blowing in the breeze from the air rushing past her open convertible top. A mysteriously clean SUV climbing a rocky mountain road without even one splatter of mud. The only thing that lies ahead is the open road and endless possibilities…

Similar to the experiences I’ve had in walking in other American cities, Birmingham is a city of polarization and disparity. From neighborhood to neighborhood, it’s a consistent case of the Haves vs. the Have Nots. Walking across these human-created boundaries is a stark reminder that the lived experiences of some residents can be vastly different than their neighbors just a block or two away.

CAUTION! Walking in America may lead to serious injury or death. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), more than 7,500 pedestrians were killed by drivers in 2022, which is the highest annual number since 1981. The numbers have been steadily climbing every single year since 2010, and it's the perfect storm of factors that is driving these numbers up.

America has a parking problem. And no, it's not that there isn't enough. It's that we have too much of it. In fact, it is estimated that the United States has over 2 billion parking spaces. That's enough to cover the entire state of Connecticut. And what makes this number even more absurd is that it is estimated that there are around 286 million cars in America. That's seven spots for every car.

Let's face it. We're all guilty of a little "road rage" in our lives. It may not result in a physical altercation, but we've all been annoyed with our fellow drivers for cutting us off, not using their blinker, or stopping too quickly in front of us. The reality is, navigating the world while operating a 2,000 lbs. piece of machinery does more to shape our interactions than we realize. Conversely, navigating the world while strolling or rolling shapes them as well.

As a whole, Americans are becoming more disconnected, disenfranchised, and disassociated from their communities. So, what is the answer? How can we better connect with our communities? How can we develop a culture of connectivity rather than isolation? Perhaps the answer is literally under our feet.

Back in September, I took a short stroll through Downtown Oxford, PA. It was a quick one due to the relentless rain, but despite the trip’s brevity, the committed work of Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. was apparent throughout the community.

“Come to Anywhere, USA. We’ve got a McDonald’s, a Dollar General, and an Olive Garden!”

Yes, this is quite possibly the worst destination marketing slogan ever, but its satirical reality isn’t that far removed from the actual preferences, priorities, and patronage of many Americans.