11-23-12: The Lines Between Us: "The Morgan Community Mile"

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In Baltimore, tensions between some universities and residents of the communties that surround them have lingered for generations. Morgan State University officials are aware of that tension and are making steps to address pre-existing divides.

The "Morgan Community Mile" is in the initial stages of development. The goal is to "improve and sustain the quality of life in Northeast Baltimore."

In a series of meetings, residents and MSU staff and faculty have identified "pillars" they would like to see improved through the initiative.

Those pillars include public safety, sustainable environment, and workforce and economic development.

Funding for the initiative has not been identified, but Mary Ann Alabanza Akers, Dean in the School of Architecture and Planning at Morgan State University, says intellectual resources can be counted on.

"We don't at this point have financial resources to give the community but our skills at the University-our intellectual knowledge-hopefully, will be translated to solving real world problems in the neighborhoods," Akers said. "I'm specifically talking about grant writing skills, planning skills."

Akers pointed to Morgan's School of Social Work and the School of Education as aides in the initiative.

In this interview Sheilah speaks with Catherine Evans, secretary with the Northeast Community Organization and Dean Mary Ann Alabanza Akers.