In Spring 2024, graduate students Jessia Avila, Jiner Fan, Aliya-Begum Jessa, and Caroline Zhang at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) released a capstone audit on how Kansas City is aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report, Addressing Racial Inequalities in America through the United Nations SDG Audit, analyzed citywide strategies around equity, justice, and sustainability.

On page 18, the students cite my research with {B/qKC} in examining the destruction of Black queer spaces in Kansas City, and the archive itself as an example of grassroots cultural work that strengthens community infrastructure and visibility for marginalized groups. To have this archive placed alongside policy recommendations and citywide initiatives was affirming.

You can read the full report here, or below: