John Fidel Klarke Smith is a graduate student of the Master of City and Regional Planning program at the Bloustein School where he is pursuing a concentration in Community Development, Housing and Finance. He is interested in development interventions that promote collective ownership, community control, affordable housing, sustainable infrastructure, green builds, retrofits, and increases in union density. Prior to joining the Bloustein School at Rutgers, these interests were formed during 4 years working in construction as a carpenter apprentice with Union Local 27 & 183, as well as in arts and culture as a community organizer. He is co-founder of two community arts and activist spaces in Toronto, 187 Augusta and Tea Base Co-op. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Equity Studies and Psychology from University of Toronto.