Meet Your 2024 Neighbors

What makes a neighborhood feel like home? It's not just the buildings, the parks, or the places we go—it's the people. And in Columbus, we’re surrounded by neighbors whose small, everyday actions enrich our lives and community in lasting ways. 

This April, we celebrated our 2024 Columbus is my Neighborhood awardees, showcasing the mobile portrait gallery and giving each 2024 Neighbor an award at the ceremony. 

Since 2020, Columbus is my Neighborhood has provided a powerful platform to acknowledge and uplift Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who are making a difference in our city. Co-designed by Kendra Asiedu, Tori Burton, and the Neighborhood Design Center, this people-centered storytelling and public art campaign shines a light on individuals who are quietly transforming Columbus—one thoughtful act at a time. 

This program reminds us that advocacy doesn’t always require a megaphone. Sometimes, it’s in the way someone shows up for others, builds community programs, or simply offers a helping hand. Through social media, public art displays, and an audio series, Columbus is my Neighborhood amplifies these stories of impact and inspiration. 

Meet Your 2024 Neighbors 

Photography: Jehan Daugherty

In 2024, we had the privilege of spotlighting ten extraordinary neighbors who continue to shape the fabric of Columbus through everyday acts of care and commitment. From grassroots organizing and youth mentorship to food justice and the arts, their efforts reflect the heart of what makes our communities thrive.

Last October, thanks to a collaboration with Orange Barrel Media, these portraits were featured on their IKE Digital Kiosks around the city. These visual stories are more than just art—they're daily reminders that our community thrives because of people like them. As we look back, we invite you to get to know these changemakers and celebrate the impact they've made across the city. 

Keira Chatman – From fashion to real estate to community organizing, Keira is the founder of Legacy House 614 and leads the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals. 

Autumn Francisco – A social worker and TED speaker, Autumn supports mental health and gun violence survivors. Her project, Mother’s Day Love, honors mothers who have lost children to gun violence. 

Nathaniel Wilkins – A passionate advocate for the Greater Linden neighborhood, Nathaniel champions inclusive planning, disability rights, and housing justice. 

Charles Jefferson – A coach and mentor, Charles leads Thursday Night Thrillers and uses basketball to empower young people at Walnut Ridge High School and beyond. 

Tianna St. James – Architect and advocate for diversity in design, Tianna mentors through NOMA Columbus and is developing housing projects to uplift her Linden roots. 

Julialynne Walker – A food justice advocate in Franklin Park, Julialynne runs farming classes and “gardens in a box” to fight food deserts and foster health equity. 

Derrick Russell – Once caught in gang activity, Derrick now leads youth sports programs that center education and mentorship, creating new paths forward in Linden. 

Khamall Jahi – A cultural connector and event producer on the South Side, Khamall runs The Citadel, a Black-owned space for community, creativity, and youth mentorship. 

Joyce & Richard Harris – Longtime Near East Side residents and founders of Growing Hearts and Hands, they use urban gardening to nourish neighbors and teach future generations about food justice. 

Erica Bell – Through Columbus Recreation and Parks’ AJRP program, Erica helps youth—especially young women—build confidence, job skills, and brighter futures. 

Want to hear their stories in their own words? Tune in to Neighbor Table Talks, now streaming on all major music platforms, and gain insight into the lives and motivations of these inspiring neighbors. 

Want to know more? 

Visit our website at Columbus is my Neighborhood and follow us on Instagram (@cbusndc) for updates.