What We’re Learning in the Global South: A Conversation on CLTs Across Contexts
May 12 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm UTC-4
This event is part of the 2026 Global Community Land Trust (CLT) Virtual Summit, a six-week series of online events from May 5 – June 10. Explore the full program and register for more events here.
On May 12, the International Center for Community Land Trusts will host a roundtable exploring key lessons from the Global South CLT Initiative.
Bringing together practitioners and partners from Brazil, South Africa, Portugal, and the Philippines, this session will reflect on how community land trust (CLT) approaches are being interpreted, adapted, and applied across diverse territorial contexts. Drawing on two years of collaboration and a recent peer exchange in Rio de Janeiro, speakers will share concrete experiences from their work and the challenges they are navigating.
Designed for Global South practitioners, researchers, community leaders, and allies, this session will offer grounded insights from active initiatives and support knowledge exchange across regions. The event will be conducted in English, with live captions available in 60+ languages to support accessibility.
The global #CLTVirtualSummit2026 is a six-week series of free online events running May 5 – June 10, 2026, and anchored by World CLT Day on May 15. Organized by CLT and community land networks from around the world, the summit brings together practitioners, residents, organizers, and allies to reclaim and honor the Black and Indigenous leadership traditions that gave rise to the CLT model and continue to shape community land stewardship globally.
Speakers
Tarcyla Fidalgo, Global South CLT Initiative Lead (Brazil)
Ricardo Carneiro, Estúdio Periférico, Architect and Researcher (Portugal)
Crystal West, Development Action Group, Programme Manager (South Africa)
Crystal West is a Programme Manager at Development Action Group with over 30 years’ experience. She leads large-scale human settlements and community capacity initiatives across South Africa, specialising in inclusive neighbourhood development. Her work reflects a deep commitment to enabling people to drive their own development through sustainable, community-driven solutions.
Ericka Nava, Philippine Action for Community-led Shelter Initiatives (Philippines)
Mikeya Griffin, Rondo Community Land Trust, Executive Director (US)
MIKEYA GRIFFIN is a visionary leader and a proud child of St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood, dedicated to preserving the legacy of the city’s historic Black community while driving innovative solutions to combat displacement and foster economic growth. As the Executive Director of Rondo Community Land Trust (RCLT), she champions affordable homeownership and commercial opportunities for low-to-moderate-income families, residents, and entrepreneurs, ensuring that prosperity remains within the community.
With deep roots in Rondo—where her great aunt and uncle first settled after migrating from Mississippi—Mikeya understands firsthand the importance of community-driven development. Under her leadership, RCLT has expanded significantly, growing from a $300,000 annual budget to $2.5 million and increasing staff from 1.5 employees to 9. The organization is on track to help 600 families achieve homeownership and support over 300 businesses, proving that shared ownership models can be a powerful tool for economic mobility.
Mikeya is a passionate advocate for community-driven economic growth, focusing on homeownership, business development, and long-term neighborhood stability. She is leading efforts to revitalize Rondo’s historic African American Arts & Cultural Corridor, including initiatives like Golden Thyme, a hub for local entrepreneurs.
A dynamic spokesperson, Mikeya brings a practical, solutions-oriented perspective to discussions on housing, economic opportunity, and strategies to keep communities strong. She is available to speak on community wealth-building, land trusts as a sustainable approach to housing affordability, and the role of culture in economic revitalization.
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The CLT Center convenes practitioners, researchers, and communities from different regions to share experiences and strengthen the CLT movement globally. This event is free and open to all. If you’re in a position to support our work, your contribution helps us continue offering free events, resources, and peer exchange opportunities across contexts.