Today’s conversation is with creative director, and architectural archivist Jerald “Coop” Cooper. Coop is the founder of Hood-century Modern — an Instagram account that sparked a preservation movement by highlighting the iconic and unique designs of mid-century buildings in Black neighborhoods; connecting modern architecture to Black culture. A hip-hop aficionado and curious soul, Coop reminds us to get in touch with our spirit, take ownership of our neighborhood, and challenges us to develop a deeper understanding of how design affects our everyday experience. In today’s conversation we explore our relationship to land, the importance of being attuned to spirit, what architects can learn from hip-hop, and the importance of not just repping your block, but understanding how it was made.Things mentionedCollege Hill, OH Maria Montessori Creator of Montessori School StructureBuckminster Fuller - ArchitectMolefi Kete Asante - Professor & PhilosopherRobert Moses - Urban PlannerWhat to readBeloved by Toni MorrisonR. Buckminster Fuller: Pattern-Thinking by Daniel López-Pérez and R Buckminster FullerAfrocentricity: The Theory of Social Change  by Molefi Kete AsanteHank Willis Thomas: All Things Being Equal by Julia Dolan, Sara Krajewski, Bobby Martin, Hank Willis Thomas (Photographer)The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon by Brad StoneWhat to listen toThis Can’t Be Life - Jay-ZGet By - Talib KweliGhetto: Misfortune's Wealth - 24-Carat BlackThe Heat is On - The Isley BrothersWho to followFollow Jerald “Coop” Cooper on IG @hoodmidcenturymodernYou can also find more of Hood Century here.This conversation was recorded on August 13th, 2022.Host: