PERFORMING OUR FUTURE:
F O R U M
JOHN ARMSTRONG
John Armstrong grew up in Arkansas. Born and raised as a carpenter, he worked his way through a small state school and afterward served with the Peace Corps in Morocco. In 2009, he came to Massachusetts, working for Heifer International before enrolling in graduate school, originally to study small ruminant animal science. John received guidance in action research, evaluation design, and popular education while working with development programs in Niger and Thailand, eventually coming to work with Scott Peters on the USDA-AFRI funded Food Dignity Action Research Project.
In 2015, under Scott’s mentorship, John received his PhD in Adult and Extension Education from Cornell University. His dissertation focused on the rise of various narratives of “engagement” in academic literature and how practitioner experiences are challenging these stories through discourse and action. His current writing explores the narratives of development as small communities are targeted for revitalization by large and traditionally powerful partnerships between state actors and the growing non-profit sector.
He currently lives with his girlfriend Juliana, growing food and rebuilding a 100-year old home in the North End neighborhood of Detroit—considered by many to be the birthplace of the Motown sound. There he is continuing his passion for small group action and research as secretary of the Gateway Community Organization—the local neighborhood association. He also works with Stafford House, an organization established as a settlement home for African Americans from the Deep South during the Great Migration that continues to support children and families in the North End.
Since arriving just one year ago, John has witnessed the mayor’s targeting of the North End for new revitalization efforts, the wholesale purchase of once black-owned business properties by developers, and the “blank-slating” of whole blocks in preparation for new housing.
In 2015, under Scott’s mentorship, John received his PhD in Adult and Extension Education from Cornell University. His dissertation focused on the rise of various narratives of “engagement” in academic literature and how practitioner experiences are challenging these stories through discourse and action. His current writing explores the narratives of development as small communities are targeted for revitalization by large and traditionally powerful partnerships between state actors and the growing non-profit sector.
He currently lives with his girlfriend Juliana, growing food and rebuilding a 100-year old home in the North End neighborhood of Detroit—considered by many to be the birthplace of the Motown sound. There he is continuing his passion for small group action and research as secretary of the Gateway Community Organization—the local neighborhood association. He also works with Stafford House, an organization established as a settlement home for African Americans from the Deep South during the Great Migration that continues to support children and families in the North End.
Since arriving just one year ago, John has witnessed the mayor’s targeting of the North End for new revitalization efforts, the wholesale purchase of once black-owned business properties by developers, and the “blank-slating” of whole blocks in preparation for new housing.