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In Part 1 of this special Women in GIS series conversation, the North Star GAZE turns the microphone toward its own creator, Aisha Jenkins. Joined by co-host Eva Reid and host Erica Phillips, Aisha reflects on the original vision behind the podcast and the creation of a space where Black geospatial professionals could share their stories, experiences, and impact in their own voices.

The...

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In this episode of the Northstar GAZE Podcast, our Women in GIS series continues with Elizabeth Cotton, founder of Black Tech Link. Elizabeth shares how her work is expanding access to technology through STEM education, workforce development, and community-driven programs.

She reflects on her journey into GIS, the importance of exposing more technologists to geospatial tools, and how he...

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What does the future of GIS look like? In this episode, it sounds a lot like Kaylan Soares.

As part of our Women in GIS series, Kaylan joins host Erica Phillips and guest host Eva Reid to share her journey into the geospatial world—from a spark of curiosity in environmental science to building powerful GIS projects focused on environmental justice.

Kaylan brings energy, insight, an...

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As part of our Women in GIS series on the Northstar GAZE Podcast, we sit down with Lynn Pinder and Kimberly Armstrong, co-founders of the Baltimore Green Justice Workers Cooperative, to explore how environmental justice, workforce development, and community leadership intersect with geospatial thinking.

While neither guest began their journey in GIS, this conversation highlights how wom...

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The Northstar GAZE kicks off its Women in GIS series with a dynamic conversation featuring Eva Reid of Dewberry. As Guest Host for this quarter, Eva brings both technical expertise and a powerful perspective on what it means to lead as a woman in the geospatial field.

In this episode, we explore Eva’s career journey, the evolving role of women in GIS, and the importance of visibil...

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In this episode of North Star Gaze, guest Dr. Khalil Shahyd—Senior Strategist at the Natural Resources Defense Council—joins Erica Phillips and guest host Dr. Adrienne Hollis to explore how spatial justice shapes environmental and economic outcomes. Drawing on his lived experience, activism, and scholarship in political ecology and economic geography, Dr. Shahyd unpacks the...

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In this episode, we meet Rashida Ferdinand, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SankofaLA.  The Sankofa Community Development Corporation (CDC) founded by Rashida Ferdinand in 2008, with the support of Lower Ninth Ward residents and stakeholders, is a 501 (c) 3 non – profit organization. Initially incorporated as the Historic Lower Ninth Ward Council for Arts and Sustaina...

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In this episode of North Star Gaze, Erica Phillips and guest host Dr. Adrienne Hollis are joined by Maria and Michael Payan of the Sussex Health and Environmental Network (SHEN) and Sentinels of Eastern Shore Health (SESH). Through deeply personal stories and groundbreaking community-led research, the Payans reveal how industrial poultry farming has transformed rural life on the Delmar...

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In the opening episode of North Star Gaze Season 3, host Erica Phillips welcomes Dr. Adrienne Hollis—environmental toxicologist, attorney, and nationally recognized leader in environmental justice—as co-host for a quarter focused on GIS and Environmental Justice. Together, they explore how mapping, data access, and storytelling can expose historic inequities, prepare commun...

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In this closing keynote episode of NorthStar GAZE, Clinton Johnson reflects on the transformative potential of GIS in addressing justice and equity while exploring the unique power of Black geographies. Highlighting the intersections of innovation, storytelling, and community empowerment, Clinton emphasizes the importance of reimagining the future through geospatial work that centers m...

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In this episode we sit down with Karen Bett, Kenyan economist, data policy powerhouse who shares a transformative vision of how citizen data and mapping can reshape the world. From pushing governments to publish open budgets to helping to put entire communities like Kibera on the map, Karen is on a mission to ensure no one remains invisible. With clarity and conviction, she unpacks the...

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Join us for a powerful and thought-provoking panel discussion, featuring an esteemed panel of geospatial changemakers: Dr. Linda Loubert, Autrice Thornton, Cari Harris, and Dr. Tony Graham.

In this episode, our panelists explore the evolving role of GIS and artificial intelligence, diving into how these technologies shape environmental justice, community resilience, and Black ge...

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In this thrilling episode of North Star Gaze, we delve into the career of GIS pioneer Biyi Fafunmi from Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics. Discover how Biyi introduced GIS technology to revolutionize data collection and analysis, significantly improving the quality and timeliness of national statistics. With an impressive blend of statistical expertise and advanced tech knowledge...

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The Intersection of Data Science and Humanities, join us as we dive into the innovative research of Dr. Abraham Liddell, a historian and data scientist whose work merges GIS, machine learning, and historical records to reconstruct powerful stories from the past. We unpack how Dr. Liddell tracks social networks and mobility of free and enslaved Africans in the Spanish Caribbean and West...

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Join us for an insightful episode where we discuss the pivotal role of GIS in conservation with wildlife geographer Christian May. Christian shares his remarkable journey from a self-taught ranger to an influential researcher creating protected area maps in the Congo. We dive into his PhD work on decolonizing conservation practices, the importance of integrating GIS from a young age, a...

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In this episode of The North Star Gaze, we welcome Stella Mutai, Co-Founder of Women in Space Kenya, a trailblazer shaping how we see and respond to the world through satellite imagery and GIS. As a champion for geospatial equity and justice, Stella shares her journey in space technology, the role of Black women in mapping the future, and the intersections of Afrofuturism, feminist uto...

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Join us at the NorthStar of GIS Homecoming 2024 event as we sit down with Frank Romo to discuss his inspiring work in the geospatial field. Frank shares his passion for mentorship and community organizing, detailing how geospatial technology can empower underrepresented communities. Learn about their impactful projects from post-Hurricane Katrina efforts to initiatives in the Bronx. Do...

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In this conversation, Jason Sowell discusses the importance of GIS in education, sharing his journey and experiences in promoting GIS for young learners. He emphasizes the need for accessibility and understanding in teaching GIS, the challenges faced in schools, and the potential of GIS to empower students globally. The discussion also touches on emerging technologies, the role of alli...