Facing Race: A National Conference in St. Louis, MO — November 20-22, 2024

Stephanie Gidigbi Jenkins

Vice President of Strategies | Communities First Infrastructure Alliance | North Star Strategies
Pronouns: She/Her

Stephanie Gidigbi Jenkins champions public policy solutions that promote economic, social, and environmental benefits for communities.  As a social entrepreneur, Stephanie co-envisioned the Communities First Infrastructure Alliance to advance community-centered plans, racial equity practices, and climate resilience principles serving as Vice President of Strategies. Stephanie is a 2022 Open Society Leadership in Government Fellow who previously served as a former political appointee in the Obama administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation and local government leader. Stephanie began her career working on Capitol Hill. She is a cultural bearer, wife, mother, and community advocate, who lives in Washington, D.C. 


Presentations from Facing Race 2022

Paving the Path towards Justice: Implementing more Equitable Infrastructure Investment

The Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach to advancing racial equity and addressing the climate change crisis through executive order, equity action plan, Justice40 initiative, and magnitude of recent federal funding represents a major catalytic moment for communities of color. This session will focus on how a transformative justice framework can be applied to dismantle structural racism, strengthen accountability practices, and address the way public infrastructure investment has been historically used to harm communities of color and low-wealth communities. Panelists will highlight emerging practices, programs, and initiatives that support community-driven solutions, foster institutional change, and support more equitable outcomes in public investment.

Breakout Session Long Description (250 words)*

The Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach to advancing racial equity and addressing the climate change crisis through executive order, equity action plan, Justice40 initiative, and magnitude of recent federal funding represents a major catalytic moment for communities of color.

The passage of the historic $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal presents a once-in-a-generation investment to embed community-led solutions, equity, and climate priorities in our Nation’s infrastructure. The infrastructure funding combined with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the broader flexibility guidance granted for the $1.9 trillion stimulus package, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) becomes one of the most significant federal investments to U.S. cities, states, and tribal lands. The magnitude of funds and incentives, if implemented equitably, could transform the role public infrastructure plays in shaping just and thriving communities.

This interactive practical session will focus on how to unlock these federal resources using a transformative justice framework to dismantle structural racism, strengthen accountability practices, and address the way public infrastructure investment has been historically used to harm communities of color and low-wealth communities. Panelists will highlight emerging practices, programs, and initiatives that support community-driven solutions, foster institutional change, and support more equitable outcomes in public investment.

Moderator(s): Stephanie Gidigbi Jenkins Speakers: Christopher Coes, Christina Cummings, April Brown