Starting the week with a full day of public joy conversations. This afternoon I’ll be leading an online Mapping Public Joy session with The Neighborhood Design Centre, located in Mount Rainier, Maryland. And tonight I’ll be on stage at the Toronto Star's If I Were Mayor: Culture Edition live event.

absolutely...

People keep saying my book tour is more exciting than a typical book tour. I tell them I’ve had a cheat sheet. When your daughter is a Juno Award-winning electronic DJ/producer who throws down like this, the benchmark gets set pretty high. This was her last night in Barcelona.

Many of the people doing the most important place-based work are operating independently, at the grassroots level, or from within small not-for-profits. Most haven't had the same opportunities to conduct formal research, develop recognized methodologies, or formally publish their ideas. So, tips…

Back home after another amazing book tour week. #BlackPublicJoy

The great horned owl, known as "tiger of the woods" it is one of the most widespread fierce predator in the wild.

One thing this tragic incident between a Black youth and a Chinese adult store owner reveals is that there is a greater expression of outrage when a public space tragedy takes place between a white person/institution and a racialized person than there is when it occurs between two racialized people.

It takes thousands of years to build up forest floor carbon, and clearcut logging can erase most of it. @drsuzannesimard.bsky.social (@forestry.ubc.ca), author of “When the Forest Breathes,” tells Eric Bombicino the cost. youtu.be/2tov4fXYEQ0?...

Too often, monuments, plaques, memorials, and other commemorative initiatives focus exclusively on histories of harm while overlooking histories of public joy—even public joy amid hardship. The result: incomplete narratives, polarization, pathologized communities, and diminished possibilities.

One of the most magical moments from last night’s design charrette: participants reimagined Ethos Lab’s cultural hub using the Black Public Joy Design Guidelines and my broader Public Joy Framework then watched their ideas become a song in real time. Public engagement has never sounded better :)

Keynotes don’t generally have opening acts but when you’re focused on public joy as cultural, civic, and spatial infrastructure new possibilities emerge. Equally excited to have Vancouver-based artist Ndidi Cascade opening for me this evening.

Woke up with the mountains. Back in Vancouver for part two of my Black Public Joy book tour engagements here. This time, I'm partnering with Urbanarium and Ethos Lab to apply my introductory Black Public Joy Design Guidelines to the design of a 7,000-square-foot cultural hub (today!) And tomorrow…

Today was my last elementary school drop-off. End of an era of hauling kids on bikes - 15 years! Cargo bike life!

Belonging begins in the body. — Black Public Joy Penguin Random House, 2026

Pleased to be featured in this “If I Were Mayor” campaign. Democratic convos often focus on what cities lack, fear, or need to repair. While some of those conversations are important, I also believe we need more ambitious and aspirational conversations for co-creating cities for all.

Next week, I’ll be leading an Urbanarium Studio with Ethos Lab. Using design guidelines drawn from my Public Joy Framework and book, we’ll explore design interventions for Ethos Lab’s new 7,000-square-foot cultural hub. Within just 24 hours, I’ll integrate those insights into my public keynote.

Honored that my book has been included in Forbes’ Summer 2026 Reading List for personal and professional growth. Especially meaningful to see #BlackPublicJoy contributing to broader conversations about how we live, work, and relate to one another across all aspects of public life.

This alt headline points to a broader storytelling crisis around cycling. There’s a growth opportunity for cycling advocates to tell more public joy- & health- based stories. And media outlets require training to ensure their reporting is evidence-based & narratively expansive.

You don't need a bell on your bike . 🤣😍

Support our libraries!

To expand on what @tomflood.bsky.social is saying here, municipal transportation priorities rarely reveal themselves in mission statements or master plans. As I say in my public joy framework workshops, public space signs often prohibit public joy while signalling deeper socio-spatial biases.

“Koch brother groups have tried to derail public transit plans in other cities around the country, from Little Rock, Arkansas and central Utah, to Nashville and Michigan. They have frequently called such projects ‘wasteful spending’. The Koch organization is also heavily invested in fossil fuels.”

“Once men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.” Dune (1965) Frank Herbert

RIP Sonny Rollins, a great jazz talent and the last surviving musician in one of the best photos of men in suits during the 20th century

“Bus passenger numbers in Auckland are back to levels not seen since before the Covid epidemic, due in part to the ongoing fuel crisis.” “Public transport advocates said the city & the gov’t should be capitalising on the chance to make the change permanent.” To be clear, EVERY CITY SHOULD DO THAT.

I learned more about the history of “vehicular cycling” while chatting w/ Urban Truth Collective founders earlier today. It reinforced my perspective that one of the biggest barriers to expanding cycling is cycling culture itself. Truth-telling begins with examining urbanism histories & movements.

Inca tern of Peru and Chile: #AGoodPlace Source: www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsi...

Remembering Tina Turner, who passed 3 years ago today.

At a recent public forum, Prime Minister Mark Carney is quoted as saying, “we want to hear what people are for, not what people are against.” He should have said, “ “along with dissent and critique, I’d like to hear what people are here for.” Amid a fragile democracy, this isn’t semantics. Also…🧵

"Sponsored by Ethyl Corporation as a service to the oil industry, it is designed to get motorists everywhere to use their cars more for pleasure travel. The ultimate goal, of course, is increased sales of gasoline and other service station products." cdn.toxicdocs.org/jN/jNzbMR36w...

21 May 1971, Marvin Gaye released his album 'What's Going On'. The concept album told the story of a Vietnam veteran returning to the country he had been fighting for, and seeing only the hatred, suffering and injustice. It is regarded as 1 of the greatest albums of the 20th century. #WhatsGoingOn

I enjoy touring mayors & political leaders, chief planners, clients and friends around Vancouver when I can. I always gain from seeing my neighbourhood and city thru fresh eyes. My friend @jaypitter.bsky.social is a fun, special treat tho, for her unique perspective on people places & public life.

Recently, @brenttoderian.bsky.social took me on a local tour in his ‘hood, which oddly began at his condo. After saying hi to his adorable sons, and alongside his wife @reneedsc.bsky.social—an accomplished planning director—we explored their epic courtyard & other community-centred amenities.

We need to repeat the truth for the same reason liars repeat their lies. #UrbanTruth #Repetition

I also like this piece. A real flex would be public art of this calibre installed in ‘hoods outside of the downtown core, where thousands of kids grow up with hoop dreams. Not because they’re narrowly or stereotypically expected to become ballers but because they also deserve daily beauty & joy.

Home and jet-lagged. Vancouver is undeniably a magical city. C’mon the mountains, ocean, soft rain, my circle of incredible peeps, and walks along this gorgeous seawall. But this is about to be the most Torontonian thing I’ve ever said: I friggin’ love Toronto. 💕

I was unreasonably excited about being treated to a Costco hotdog and gigantic Fanta soda. Great walk and even better company.

My therapist, a brilliant black woman, gave me a fist bump today so nobody can tell me NOTHING. 🤓

NEW STARTER PACK: “25 Cities and Urbanism Accounts I Hope You’ll Follow!” 25 accounts I appreciate and support for lots of reasons — friends, collegues, collaborators, etc. Thanks to you all. Please check them out, consider following them, and spread the word. #UrbanistShoutOut go.bsky.app/6fWyVZf

Congratulations to my friend @jaypitter.bsky.social, excellent event tonight discussing Public Joy and launching her new book here in Vancouver at Woodwards. Great story-telling and important insights from Jay, and candid conversation. Kudos to the local organizers. #BlackPublicJoy

It must be mindblowing! #BookSky

73% of mothers with kids under 18 are in the workforce. More than flowers or brunch, working moms need: -Paid family leave -Equal pay -Universal childcare -Universal healthcare (But get your mom flowers, too)

STUDY: “Motonormativity is a shared bias whereby people judge motorised mobility differently to other comparable topics. This works against societies addressing climate and public health crises effectively.” Via @ianwalker.bsky.social. #UrbanTruth www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Heading to Vancouver for multiple Black Public Joy engagements beginning with a sold out literary & cultural gathering hosted by Simon Fraser University. Grateful to Janet Webber, whose generous question: “What do you imagine for this event?” helped shape what will be a layered & beautiful evening.

Public joy is serious civic, cultural, and spatial infrastructure. And sometimes, it is expressed through the insistence of beauty in everyday life. #PublicJoyFramework

This is a feel good image for me. These two adorable young Australian superb fairywren staying close to each other.

Here is the first pillar in my public joy framework, which positions public joy as civic, cultural, and spatial infrastructure.

horrible. this country’s turn away from science based medicine in the name of “wellness” is killing children and will kill a lot more. www.propublica.org/article/more...

The beautiful humming bird that shimmers when the sunlight shines on its beautiful illuminating feathers!