June 12th, 2025
6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Manny Cantor Center Rooftop
Manny Cantor Center, East Broadway, New York, NY, USA
Crystal Hudson is the Council Member for New York City’s District 35 in Brooklyn, representing the neighborhoods of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, and Clinton Hill. A third-generation Brooklynite, she was first elected in 2021 and made history as the first out gay Black woman ever elected in New York City. Crystal is a public servant committed to making government more accessible for more people. As chair of the Committee on Aging, Crystal is committed to making New York City the best place to grow older. She has authored A Black Agenda for New York City and co-authored the Marsha & Sylvia Plan, a first-of-its-kind policy agenda to support LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers. Crystal also serves as co-chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus. She lives in Brooklyn with her wife and daughter.
Join us and get inspired by the 2024-2025 Forefront Fellows as they share strategies for older adults to flourish in New York City, now and in the future.
After a year of immersive research, the Fellows will showcase original projects that envision a better city for all New Yorkers as we age. They will also unveil recommendations to support older adults to age in place, developed in partnership with the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
We are thrilled to be joined by Council Member Crystal Hudson, who will share keynote reflections on the City’s renewed policy efforts to improve the lives of older adults.
Register for our in-person celebration or join us for a presentation livestream.
2024-25 Forefront Projects
The Forgotten Middle
Identifying barriers and solutions for middle-income older adults to successfully live in their communities
Lifelong City
Curating a storytelling and art exhibit that inspires participants to imagine thriving older adults in the future
Participatory Design
Developing an empathic programming toolkit to support older adults to co-create equitable, resilient, and joyful spaces
Growing Together
Honoring the stories of community garden stewards to shape the future of these vital public spaces
Meet the 2024-25 Fellows
The 2024-25 Forefront Fellows are an interdisciplinary cohort of architects, planners, designers, developers, aging advocates and artists shaping the future of New York City.
Guest & Accessibility Policies
Urban Design Forum promotes conversations between invited civic leaders, designers, developers, and advocates. This event is open to the general public.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. Please review the following policies:
- The building entrance, elevators and bathrooms are ADA-accessible.
- This event will have microphones and speakers.
- If you’re not feeling well, please stay home. Face masks are encouraged, though not required. If you have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days, a high-quality, well-fitting face covering is required at all times.
- Please refrain from wearing strong fragrances to accommodate guests with allergies or environmental sensitivities.
- For additional access requests or questions, please contact Cat Betances at catherine@urbandesignforum.org.
About Forefront
Forefront is a yearlong leadership development fellowship cultivating emerging talent in urban design, development, policy and advocacy. Each year, selected Fellows immerse themselves in on-the-ground, collaborative learning on a topic with pressing importance for the future of New York City.
Our ninth Forefront Fellowship, Lifelong, imagines how to create an age-friendly New York City for all.
Continuing Education
This program has been approved for AIA CES.
Support Our Work
Forefront is supported by the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation and our Board of Directors, Director’s Circle, and company and individual members. Our programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
To learn more about how you can support, please contact Miranda Bellizia, Director of Member Engagement, miranda@urbandesignforum.org.
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