About Real Estate and Urban Action: This Guest Lecture is a part of a class called Real Estate and Urban Action: Transforming Communities and Increasing Access to Opportunity. The course explores social, economic, and racial inequality concepts, focusing on the interaction between housing, labor markets, and the ultimate accumulation of wealth. Housing will be examined through a study of the history of affordable housing, an exploration of the transformation of Columbia Point Public Housing Development to Harbor Point, and an applied simulation. This course is open to first-year students only. 

About Kenzie Bok: 

Kenzie Bok leads the Boston Housing Authority with a focus on providing high-quality public housing that serves as a platform for economic opportunity and empowerment. She's working to expand affordable housing opportunities while making Boston's public housing fossil fuel-free and ensuring the BHA's long-term financial sustainability.

Kenzie served two terms as Boston City Councilor for District 8, chairing key committees including Ways and Means, PILOT, Covid Recovery, and Innovation. She secured over $250 million in affordable housing funding through the American Rescue Plan, co-authored Fair Housing zoning reforms, and created PowerCorpsBOS green jobs program. She previously worked at the BHA as Senior Advisor for Policy and Planning under administrators Billy McGonagle and Kate Bennett.

Kenzie led the successful 2016 campaign for Boston to adopt the Community Preservation Act and now serves on Boston's Community Preservation Committee. She also sits on the PIC/MassHire Workforce Board and the Commemoration Commission for America 250 and Boston's 400th anniversary. She is a graduate of Harvard University. 

This Guest Lecture is open to all students.