Make sure to tune into WOL 1450 AM, 95.9 FM and the WOL Livestream on July 25 at 10:30 am EDT for “Everything Co-op,” hosted by Vernon Oakes. This week, Vernon interviews April De Simone, founder and managing principal of the Practice of Democracy. Vernon and April will explore how her work—particularly in affordable cooperative housing—have expanded and influenced how people experience democracy.
The Practice of Democracy believes the ways people plan, design and activate the systems and environments shaping the conditions of our society directly impact how democratic principles like civic participation, equality, justice and fairness are accessed, experienced and sustained.
De Simone explores the interplay between built environments and the communities that inhabit them. Her work fosters a profound comprehension of how inequity and dehumanization are manifested and perpetuated within spaces. Collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, she reshapes spatial practice opportunities to embed democratic values into the environments and systems we create.
An esteemed speaker, facilitator and board member, April’s influence extends across equity and design spaces. Recognized by Enterprise Community Partners as one of their Impactful 40, she is also a Dean Merit Scholar and holds a master’s degree Design and Urban Ecologies from Parsons School of Design.