Tonja Khabir
Cultural Planner & Community Strategist;
Owner: Francis and Wade, Consulting
Can you share your journey into the work you do? What experiences, moments, or values led you here?
I’m a cultural planner and community strategist from Macon, Georgia, and my work sits at the intersection of community development and urban planning. I have spent over 15 years supporting community and public health initiatives in East and Southern Africa as well as my hometown of Macon, Georgia.
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Over the past five years, my focus has been on the historic African American neighborhood of Pleasant Hill, a community deeply affected by the Federal Highway System built in the 1960s. Much of the work has been about reconnecting the neighborhood to the resources, opportunities, and capital it has divested of, and most importantly, to itself. Through fostering strategic partnerships, I helped leverage $31 million in public and private investments to support equity-driven initiatives in the neighborhood. This work taught me quickly that passion alone does not move systems. You have to understand how policy works, how grants flow, and how to sit at decision-making tables without losing your cultural grounding.
This work is deeply personal. My mother, who passed away in 2011 at 52, inspired my commitment to equity and public service. Despite her kindness and generosity, structural barriers limited her opportunities. Her experience managing chronic health challenges showed me how social determinants of health like, access to education, healthcare, transportation, and economic stability, shape lives. Her story motivates me to create communities where people can live longer, healthier, and more fulfilled lives.
My approach is people-first and community centric. I center those most impacted by inequity and design systems that restore dignity, stability, and joy through elements of culture. I have lead resident-driven planning processes, managed cross-sector grants and partnerships, created funding opportunities for black led businesses and nonprofits and turned culture - the stories, traditions, and creative energy of a place - into strategies that advance public health, economic opportunity, and neighborhood identity.
At heart, I am an ecosystem builder. I believe neighborhoods are more than buildings; they are networks of people, creativity, and informal leadership. My goal is to ensure Black communities thrive as the authors of their own future.
Who or what has most influenced your leadership and commitment to this work? This could include mentors, community, lived experience, books, faith, or movements.
The biggest influences on my leadership and commitment come from the communities I serve and the culture that shaped me. Throughout my life, I have witnessed everyday Black leadership, the artists, elders, small business owners, and neighbors who hold communities together without titles or recognition. One of my greatest inspirations is Ruth Hartley Moseley, a Civil Rights activist, businesswoman, and philanthropist from Macon, Georgia. She was the first Black nurse in the state, helped found many historic Black institutions including the Booker T. Washington Community Center and Macon’s NAACP chapter, and even left her two-story home to be used as a community space for women. Her resilience, creativity, and deep sense of responsibility taught me that leadership is not about position, it’s about impact.
My own lived experiences further shaped my commitment to equity and systems change. Seeing how disinvestment and inequitable policies affected neighborhoods showed me the urgent need for intentional, culturally informed approaches to development. I am inspired by movements for racial and economic justice, and by women who lead with both strategy and heart, proving that cultural understanding and technical expertise are not mutually exclusive.
Books and research have also guided my work. Authors and activists like Melissa Harris-Perry, Jay Pitter, and Liz Ogbu activated my thinking about community-driven planning, reinforcing that policy and culture must work together and that systemic change requires both vision and actionable strategy.
Ultimately, my leadership reflects the communities that raised me, the cultural knowledge they carry, and a belief that Black communities should not only be included in decision-making, but should be the authors of our own futures.
For those who feel called to doing this work, where would you suggest they begin? Is there a book, organization, practice, or resource that helped shape you?
For those who feel called to this work, I always say start by going to the community. My own experience in the Master of Public Health program developed by Dr. Patricia Rodney had a profound impact on me as an activist. It taught me the importance of approaching community work with deep empathy and understanding. Before proposing any solutions, you have to understand the community’s needs from relevant and diverse perspectives.
That means asking questions at every level. Talk not just to CEOs or leaders, but to patrons, neighbors, staff, and everyone who experiences the space. Listen closely, observe, and learn from the people who live the reality you hope to impact. Once you truly understand the needs, you can begin to see what solutions might be relevant and sustainable.
For me, that approach allowed me to use my skills to support meaningful change. It was exciting to help address needs I had observed, and it was challenging to navigate the complexity of real communities. But those challenges created opportunities to see progress in real time, understand the nuances of systemic issues, and grow as a leader. My advice to anyone entering this field is simple: immerse yourself in the community, stay curious, and let the people you serve guide the work.
What wisdom or encouragement would you offer to the next generation of Black women leaders entering this space?
My advice to the next generation of Black women leaders is to recognize the power you already carry. Your perspective, cultural insight, and lived experience are not soft skills, they are assets that can shape policy, programs, and communities in ways that others cannot. Learn the technical language of your field, whether that’s policy, planning, or finance, but never lose sight of the communities and culture that ground you.
Protect your energy and build networks of support, mentorship, and collaboration. Leadership does not mean doing it all alone. Seek out spaces where you can both learn and contribute, and do not be afraid to take up space at decision-making tables. Your voice matters, and the future of neighborhoods, organizations, and systems will be stronger when it reflects your vision.
Finally, remember that impact is often measured in small, consistent actions over time. Celebrate progress, even when it feels incremental, and stay connected to the people and communities that inspire you. You belong in this work, and your leadership is essential to creating equitable, thriving spaces for generations to come.
How can people stay connected to and support your work? Please share your website, social media, current campaigns, or other ways to get involved.
People can stay connected to my work by following me on LinkedIn, where I share updates, insights, and opportunities for collaboration. I welcome conversations with anyone interested in advancing equitable development and creative community solutions. You can also learn more about past projects at FrancisandWade.com.
For collaborations, speaking engagements, or consulting opportunities, I welcome inquiries via email at tonja@francisandwade.com. Staying connected, sharing resources, and amplifying resident voices are the best ways to support this work and contribute to meaningful, equity-driven impact.