🌆 From Concrete Jungles to Community Hearts: The Rachel Katherine Johnson Story 🌱

Once upon a time in a tiny apartment with the only view of fire escapes and flickering neon lights, was a girl named Rachel Katherine Johnson who dreamed of something more. Not skyscrapers or soulless grids— but spaces that breathe. Spaces that felt like getting a hug from your best friend. 🏙️💕

Fast forward through sleepless nights, 37 reject proposals (yes I counted), and one very dramatic breakdown in a Starbucks bathroom (Thank you Miguel, barista extraordinaire for that free latte), and here I am: Urban Planning Specialist by day, community-building storyteller by night.

My journey was never solely about zoning laws or traffic flow charts (but yes, I do get a little too weirdly excited about mixed-use developments), it was about saving the soul of a city— one park bench, one bike lane, one "Wait why DON’T we have more public toilets here?!" at a time. I started with nothing but a computer, a Pinterest board called "Urban Utopia," and a naive conviction that concrete can feel cozy. And now? I consult for cities, speak at conferences, and question how to make alleyways instagrammable (fight me haters).

But do you know the truth? I’m still the girl next door. The one that chats with street vendors, gets lost on purpose, and believes that all great communities are made with equal parts data and daydreams. So whether I’m obsessing over 15-minute cities or posting "Found this hidden garden, tag your favorite hiking buddy!", just know this: Every great city starts with someone who cares. And honey, I care a lot. ✨

P.S. If you’ve ever cried over a badly designed sidewalk… welcome home! We have cookies (and actionable policy proposals). 🍪📑