PART OF THE SPRING 2023 URBAN STUDIES & PLANNING LECTURE SERIES
Lecturers
ALLISON ALBEE, Co-Founder Groundworks Consulting, Oakland, CA
JAIRUS MATTHEWS, Manager, Embers Project, Edge Collaborative, Stockton, CA
BIOGRAPHIES
Allison Allbee, Co-Founder, Ground Works Consulting. Allison works with practitioners to develop strategies promoting self-determination and shared prosperity. A dedicated collaborator, Allison advances housing, climate, and economic justice initiatives as a strategist, facilitator, and researcher. Before founding Ground Works Consulting, Allison co-directed the Healthy Neighborhoods team at ChangeLab Solutions, and oversaw the organization’s health and housing practice. Allison was a Fulcrum Fellow and Field Catalyst at the Center for Community Investment. She earned a B.A. in community studies and masters degrees in building science and city and regional planning from UC Berkeley.
Jairius Matthews serves as the Manager of the Embers Project (an initiative incubated by the Edge Collaborative). In her current role, she activates local community leaders to vision and plan new inclusive economic development projects, and connects them to resources and support to make those visions come to life. Her previous role as a Communications Associate for Stockton Strong inspired her to use her communications background to connect local Stockton residents to essential resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her experience as a College Possible Success Coach at Stanislaus State sharpened her ability to align low-income, first generation college students with services and support based on their unique needs and backgrounds. Her passion for service and community building was honored locally as a recipient of the 2020 Dawn Malabon Civic Leadership Award. She is a proud alumni of Stanislaus State, where she received a BA in Communication Studies.