LCTI: Rebound the MLKcommUNITY: A Transportation Equity Roadmap

Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP)
Planning and Capacity Building Grant

Circle of Life Development Foundation/MLKCommUNITY Initiative | Rebound the MLKcommUNITY: A Transportation Equity Roadmap

Circle of Life Development Foundation Logo MLKCommUnity Initiative Logo

June 2021 – March 2024

Project Details

The Rebound the MLKcommUNITY project will equip community members with the knowledge and tools necessary to identify neighborhood-scale clean transportation needs and opportunities; educate the community about clean transportation options, such as bus ridership, electric vehicle car share programs and active transportation; and ultimately empower residents to develop a roadmap and implementation strategy centered on mobility equity. This project is an essential building block in catalyzing lasting community capacity to shape and inform decisions that affect their lives.

The Road, Street and Highway Map focuses on three census tracts in a 1.7 square mile neighborhood of southeast Bakersfield in Kern County. The project area boundary is marked by a thick, solid and closed line that is shaded. The project boundary is the south of State Route 58 and to the east of State Route 99. For more map details, contact movingca@arb.ca.gov. — *Project Area Map, Bakersfield, CA in Kern County*

Funding Details

Grant Amount: $200,000

Resource Contributions: $127,133

Project Total: $327,133

By the Numbers

Planned Community Engagement Activities

12 Community Steering Committee Meetings
1 Transportation Day Event (neighborhood demonstration projects and mapping session)
6 Community forums and listening sessions

Estimated Quantifiable Benefits

Direct Jobs: 1
Induced Jobs: 1

Transportation Day event with residents and speakers on stage discussing project Project team and community residents under balloon arch during Transportation Day event

Residents and event volunteers participating in Transportation Day event Project team and event festivities on stage

Community Details

The Rebound the MLKcommUNITY project focuses on three census tracts in a 1.7 square mile neighborhood of southeast Bakersfield. The MLKcommUNITY is primarily Latinx (79%) and Black (10%), with many non-English speakers and undocumented residents. The community falls in the top 5% of disadvantaged communities according to CalEnviroScreen 3.0, and is categorized as low-income with a median household income of approximately $34,000 per year with 45% of the population living below the poverty line.

Through initial engagement efforts, community members identified the challenges they face in safely and reliably traveling to key destinations and critical, basic services. Many residents have little to no access to jobs, fresh foods, community services or medical care; and inadequate transportation options, including limited access to convenient and reliable transit. The neighborhood also lacks infrastructure for safe biking and walking with a low walkability score.

Demographics of Community Served by Project

78% Hispanic/Latino, 11% White, 8% Black or African American, and 2% Asian
Median Household Income: $34,000

Community Benefits

The Rebound the MLKcommUNITY project will deliver an inclusive, community-centered planning process that can maximize the benefits of California’s air quality and climate efforts while empowering those with limited clean transportation access. This community-centered planning process will improve community understanding of clean transportation options and deliver a strategic roadmap guiding future investment and planning in the MLKcommUNITY. By the end of this project, community members will have the education, tools, and knowledge needed to take the next steps necessary to bring this roadmap to life through new partnerships, funding applications, and pilot programs inspired by the work of the Planning Grant.

Outreach & Engagement Strategies

Project website
Surveys
Community forums
Listening sessions
Community Steering Committee meetings
Trusted volunteers
Promotoras
Spanish-language radio
Social media
Neighborhood events & activities
Clean transportation demonstrations

Target Populations

Older Adults
People with disabilities
Low-income workers
Non-English speakers
Women
LGBTQ

Partnership Structure

Grantee

Circle of Life Foundation's (COLDf) mission is to build strong communities through affordable homes, community engagement, education, and economic opportunities to collaboratively close the economic gap. As the project grantee, COLDf will oversee project implementation, lead the Steering Committee (consisting of seven-members among project partners and the community members at large to guide project decision-making), and work closely with subgrantees and community partner to develop a community transportation plan.

California Air Resources Board