From the Transportation Mobility Plan to Home in Tacoma, the Parks Plan to the One Tacoma Plan, Tacoma’s updating a lot of policy as it looks toward the future. So what does all this policy actually mean? Join us for a panel digging into new and upcoming policy and how it connects to real action.

PANELISTS

• Chris Karnes, Chair of Tacoma Planning Commission
• Korbett Mosesly, Social Impact & Equity Architect
• Lauren Flemister, Assistant Director at Pierce County Planning & Public Works
• Tanisha Jumper, Chief Communications Officer at Tacoma Public Schools (Moderator)
  

As housing costs continue to rise, our seniors face unique issues in retaining access to services, community, and stability. Join us for a panel exploring the challenges impacting Tacomans ability to Age in Place, and how addressing them can make Tacoma a better place for everyone to live, work, and play.

PANELISTS

• Bucoda Warren, Chief Policy Analyst for the Mayor at City of Tacoma
• Nalani Linder, Executive Director at Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities (TACID)
• Molly Barnett, Senior Community Programs Supervisor at Parks Tacoma
• Tanisha Jumper, Chief Communications Officer at Tacoma Public Schools (Moderator)

From buses to light rail to commuter trains, there’s a lot happening with public transit in Tacoma these days. With big projects on the horizon and big challenges already here, join Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, and Downtown On the Go for a panel exploring what’s working, what’s not, and what the future of transit in Tacoma can be.

PANELISTS

• Ryan Wheaton, Chief Planning Officer at Pierce Transit
• Andrew Austin, Executive Director of Government and Community Relations at Sound Transit
• Laura Svancarek, Interim Executive Director at Downtown On the Go
• Tanisha Jumper, Chief Communications Officer at Tacoma Public Schools (Moderator)
  

What makes a strong community? What about a healthy community? And what the heck is a Blue Zone? Communities are influenced by the built environment around them, with things like road design and access to green spaces impacting everything from health outcomes to job opportunities. Join us for a panel exploring how communities come together to tackle issues and build resilience through organizing and connection.

PANELISTS

• Tono Sablan, Executive Director at Parkland-Spanaway Blue Zones Project
• Naomi Wilson, Community Assessment Manager at Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
• Lowell Wyse, Executive Director at Tacoma Tree Foundation
• Tanisha Jumper, Chief Communications Officer at Tacoma Public Schools (Moderator)
  

With more young people choosing to opt out of driving, it’s important that we understand the needs and wants of youth as they navigate our city. Join us for a panel exploring how youth get around Tacoma, why they make the choices they do, and how this can influence the way we think about transportation and city design.

PANELISTS

• Dr. Matthew Kelley, Associate Professor at University of Washington Tacoma
• McKenna Lux, Engagement & Events Manager at Transportation Choices Coalition
• Fletcher Crone, Student at University of Puget Sound
• Tanisha Jumper, Chief Communications Officer at Tacoma Public Schools (Moderator)
  

Tacoma is experiencing a housing crisis and an identity crisis as it grapples with the increasing need for affordable housing and greater density. How do we know what and where to build, and how do we measure the impacts – both intentional and unintentional? Join us for a panel digging into the data behind affordable housing and density, and how communities can grow with change.

PANELISTS

• Dr. Anaid Yerena, Associate Professor at University of Washington Tacoma
• Jeff Dade, Director of Community Partnerships Pierce County at Homestead Community Land Trust
• Nicholas Carr, Intergovernmental Affairs Manager at Tacoma Housing Authority
• Tanisha Jumper, Chief Communications Officer at Tacoma Public Schools (Moderator)
  

As Tacoma grows and changes, what would you like to see in the City of Destiny? Housing and transportation are deeply interconnected and our policies on both influence who can access opportunities and services. Join us for a panel exploring how Tacomans' needs and wants both match up and differ as we dive into what a future Tacoma could look like.

PANELISTS

• Jason Gauthier, Manager at South Sound Housing Affordability Partners
• Brendan Nelson, Executive Director at Empowering People in Communities
• Tyler Garretson, Commissioner on Mayor's Youth Commission of Tacoma
• Tanisha Jumper, Chief Communications Officer at Tacoma Public Schools (Moderator)
  

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic deaths have been on a steady rise. The City of Tacoma is committed to reaching a Vision Zero goal of zero traffic deaths or serious injuries by 2035, but what does that really mean? Join us for a panel breaking down the causes of traffic violence, what is being done to stop it, and the real human impacts.

PANELISTS

• Carrie Wilhelme, Senior Transportation Planner at City of Tacoma
• Dr. Anthony Chen, Director of Health at Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
• Noah Struthers, Executive Director at 2nd Cycle
• Tanisha Jumper, Chief Communications Officer at Tacoma Public Schools (Moderator)
  

As extreme weather events become more common in the South Sound, we’re faced with a serious question: How do we build a climate resilient Tacoma? Join us for a panel exploring the intersections of community, mobility, and climate.

PANELISTS

• Chrissy Cooley, Executive Director at Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
• Evlondo Cooper, Co-Chair of Sustainable Tacoma Commission
• iLeana Areiza, Member of Tacoma Climate Leadership Cohort
• Tanisha Jumper, Chief Communications Officer at Tacoma Public Schools (Moderator)
  

MUC, UGC, & TOD… oh my! The world of planning is full of terminology that can feel unapproachable for everyday community members. Join us for a panel that will demystify the concepts like zoning that make up big proposals like Home in Tacoma, and how transportation is tied into all of it.

PANELISTS

• Brian Boudet, Planning Division Manager at City of Tacoma
• Alyssa Torrez, Program Specialist at Tacoma Housing Authority, Commissioner on Tacoma Planning Commission
• Rubén Casas, Associate Professor at University of Washington Tacoma
• Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications Director at City of Tacoma (Moderator)
  

Housing and transportation are inextricably linked; dense housing needs connected and frequent transit to succeed while transit needs demand to fuel expansion. Learn more about this intersection while we explore the question: how can we plan future development and transit expansion in concert for the benefit of both?

PANELISTS

• Chris Karnes, Commissioner on Tacoma Planning Commission
• Amanda DeShazo, Executive Director at Tacoma Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium
• Bebhinn Gilbert, Mobility Management Program Supervisor at Hopelink Mobility
• Kenzie Knapp, Student and Transit advocate at Pacific Lutheran University
• Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications Director at City of Tacoma (Moderator)
  

From tree coverage & housing density to walkability & transit access, city design can make sustainable choices the easier option - or make them downright impossible. Join us as we explore how our land use policies and design choices inform the fight against climate change.

PANELISTS

• Kristin Lynett, Sustainability Manager at City of Tacoma
• Steve Atkinson, Principle Planner at City of Tacoma
• Mariana Sanchez Castillo, Field Organizer at Washington Environmental Council
• Marquis Mason, Climate Justice Community Organizer at Communities for a Healthy Bay
• Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications Director at City of Tacoma (Moderator)
  

What if crime prevention could be built into cities? As cities begin to explore this question, the results have not been favorable for Black and brown residents. Learn about how urban design meant to prevent crime instead reinforces systemic inequalities and racism, and how Tacoma is planning to avoid this.

PANELISTS

• Nick Bayard, Assistant Chief Equity Officer for the City of Tacoma's Office of Equity and Human Rights
• Lauren Flemister, Community Planning Manager for the City of Seattle
• Krystal Monteros, Vice Chair of the Commission on Disabilities
• Tanisha Jumper, City of Tacoma (Moderator)

Hear the after show "What If There Is No Sidewalk -- Amenities, Equity & Gentrification" on Channel 253's Crossing Division podcast.

• Hosted by Evelyn Lopez
• Dorian Waller, Archway Consulting Group
  

Who feels safe in Tacoma streets? Street safety initiatives often rely on police enforcement with racially asymmetrical impacts. Join us for an exploration into what contributes to real and perceived safety in public spaces, focusing on how race informs safety, why, and a few ideas of steps to address racism in public space safety.

Sponsored by: Parametrix

PANELISTS

• Liz Kaster, Senior Planner & Active Transportation Coordinator, City of Tacoma (Public Works Dept.)
• Isha Hussein, Youth Organizer, The People's Assembly
• Naomi Smith, Attorney at Law, Lawyers Against Systemic Racism, Advocacy Committee Co-chair
• Tanisha Jumper, City of Tacoma (moderator)
  

How do infrastructure ideas become reality? How do problems like faulty sidewalks and inadequate bus stops get fixed? Policy in Tacoma is a web of stakeholders and decision makers, often spanning into Pierce County. Follow along as we track issues from concept to implementation and learn how to have concerns addressed.

Sponsored by GeoEngineers

PANELISTS

• Andrew Austin, Government and Community Relations Manager, Sound Transit
• Keith Blocker, City of Tacoma Deputy Mayor
• Laura Svancarek, CTR & Advocacy Coordinator, Downtown On the Go
• Derek Young, Pierce County Councilmember
• Tanisha Jumper, City of Tacoma (moderator)

Hear the after show "Let's Talk About Why It's So Hard to Make Change!" on Channel 253's Crossing Division podcast;