Karen L. Black
Principal, May 8 Consulting

Expertise
Metropolitan policy, urban and regional politics, demographic trends, community revitalization methods, federal, state and local housing policies, challenges and solutions to large-scale abandonment in urban America, community revitalization, state and local policy, and law and attitudes surrounding housing discrimination.

Current Projects
Competitive cities strategies, state and local housing policies, inclusive communities, abandoned residential properties, zoning reform, and metropolitan policy

Clients
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, Building Industry Association of Philadelphia, The Reinvestment Fund, and the Women’s Community Revitalization Project

Teaching
University of Pennsylvania Urban Studies and City Planning course: Metropolitan Growth, Poverty and Urban Competitiveness: The New Policy And Civic Framework

Education
J.D., University of California at Los Angeles Law School, 1987; B.A., Williams College, 1983

Background
Previous Positions: Director, Metropolitan Philadelphia Policy Center (2000-02); Fellowship with Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School and Community Builder, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (1998-00); Fair Housing Project Director, Public Interest Law Center (1989-98); Fellow, Litt and Stormer; Clerk U.S. District Court, 9th Circuit.

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