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KEYNOTE:
A MOMENT FULL OF PROMISE
Jonathan Fanton is no stranger to
the problems and complexities of
cities. A Yale-educated professor of
American history, he once led
institutional planning at the University
of Chicago and later, for 17 years,
served as president of the New School
of Social Research in New York City.
In 1999 he was named president of
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation, which soon thereafter
stepped up as the principal funder of
NCP, committing more than $50 million
to the NCP neighborhoods over
10 years.
“ We meet at a moment in history
full of promise. I think we are on
the cusp of another era of
domestic reform … A younger,
less cynical, more politically
engaged and optimistic
generation is forming.
“ And I believe we are ready to
move. Over the years and
through NCP we have learned a
lot. We know that energy must
come from neighborhoods, not
from Washington; that strong
community organizations are the
critical drivers of change; and
that both public and private
investment are necessary.
We know that success requires
work across all the issues in a
community — housing, health,
jobs, public safety and all
the rest.
“ Most of all, we have learned that
neighborhoods, once described
as ‘blighted,’ are sources of
untapped economic and human
potential, ready to respond to
real opportunity. Together we can
provide that opportunity … we
can together take advantage of
this promising moment and help
realize this nation’s highest
aspirations of a just and humane
society where everyone has an
opportunity for a secure and
decent life.”
JONATHAN FANTON
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