Today, June 4, is my last day at LINK Houston. I am grateful for the opportunity to advance equity and climate justice in transportation decisions that impact the lives of people living, working, and enjoying their time in Houston. I started in 2017 as the only staff member. As I depart nearly four years later, I’m proud to stand side-by-side with an amazing team, reliable partners across many different sectors and interests, and powerful residents who stop at nothing to protect their communities and futures. I have learned so much, and I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished together.
Since launching in fall 2017, LINK Houston’s civic engagement and data-informed research have shaped a $7-billion transit plan; compelled the Mayor to fix Houston’s dangerous intersections and launch a zero-fatality street safety campaign; influenced an alignment between affordable housing and transportation; won $51.5 million for communities of color impacted by a highway expansion; and changed decision-making systems influencing long-term transportation planning and funding in the Houston-Galveston region.
I am thrilled to announce that Ines Sigel will assume the role of Interim Executive Director to lead our outstanding team that includes Ashley Johnson, Jonathan Brooks, Mara Gomez, Kirk Jackson, and our part-time CPA Fred Lazare. I am grateful for the support of the many institutional and individual donors who fund our research and outreach to support Houstonian’s advocacy for systemic change in transportation.
There remains much, much work to do to address past racial injustices and discrimination against people with disabilities in transportation access, yet I am optimistic about our future. I am encouraged by the change in mobility and climate funding and planning at the City of Houston, Harris County, and the federal government. Most of all, I am inspired by the increasing number of residents who understand how these transportations decisions are made and how they can leverage their power to change them for a better future.
Onward.
