Leveraging the Stimulus ~ Key MIT CoLab Project

I was pleased to interview both Uyen Le and Carlos Espinoza-Toro on MaximizingProgress.tv about their MIT CoLab project on Leveraging the Stimulus. Their goal is to make the Stimulus package opportunities more transparent to all by mapping it at all levels of action and helping communities think creatively about using it towards economic empowerment, social justice, green jobs, and building a sustainable and vibrant economy. Both of my guests came to MIT from quite different beginnings but sharing a migrant's pathway of discovery and self-realization. After an architecture undergrad and then Habitat-for-Humanity experience for Carlos and time in post-Katrina New Orleans after political science studies for Uyen, each came to pursue Urban Studies & Planning at MIT. First Carlos and then Uyen connected with the Community Innovators Lab -- or CoLab -- at MIT. The CoLab is all about supporting...

"...the development and use of knowledge from excluded communities to deepen civic engagement, improve community practice, inform policy, mobilize community assets, and generate shared wealth."

Excellent organization and compelling and timely project too!