New Orleans - Today, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) hosted a transit equity forum in honor of Black History Month. RTA Board Chair, Flozell Daniels moderated the panel which included panelists Alex Z. Wiggins, RTA CEO, Judith Dangerfield, Founder, Metro Source, and Darrel Saizan, Principal, Darrel J. Saizan and Associates, Inc. The forum focused on the vital role transit plays in building economically healthy and equitable communities.  

“The pandemic has brought light to the essentiality of transit within our community,” said Flozell Daniels, Jr., RTA board chair. “It is imperative that as a public agency RTA focuses on reassessing the agency’s roles, leading change, and positively impacting our riders. The RTA Board of Commissioners remains intentional in creating an understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion while advancing mobility.”  

“The RTA remains committed to making smart investments that will transform mobility and improve the rider experience,” said Alex Z. Wiggins, RTA CEO. “In order to effectively make progress it is important to address partisanships of the past that continue to negatively impact marginalized communities. We all must work together to be equity advocates promoting necessary conversations to address these challenges.” 

“Racial identity is a relevant indicator in determining advancements in our community,” said Judith Dangerfield, owner, Metro-Source. “We must remain hopeful that our sentiments and concerns will resonate with government agencies like RTA to advance beneficial investments made today and positively impact generations to come.”  

“The value of a transit-oriented project is that it lifts communities,” said Darrel Saizan, principal, Darrel J. Saizan and Associates, Inc. “There is a story behind every project, and mobility runs through each one. We must continue this momentum by investing in communities where past economic inequities remain – transit is one of the equalizers that can help accomplish this goal and move us forward.”  

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Judith Williams Dangerfield, the founding owner of Metro-Source has provided consultation to numerous local, state, and national organizations and government entities across multiple subject matters including DBE program design, implementation and compliance, workforce development, small business development, Title VI and Environmental Justice, equity and inclusion in government contracting, strategies for closing the racial wealth-gap, place-making, and community economic development. As a consultant she served for two-years as the Director of Supplier Diversity for the City of New Orleans and for three years as a Federal Monitor for the Consent Decree between the US Justice Department, the New Orleans Police Department, and the City of New Orleans. MS. Dangerfield has been a presenter and panelist at the 2017 SOCAP International Conference, the 2015 PolicyLink Equity Summit and the 2009 BMW Foundation Siftung, Herbert Quant Responsible Leaders Forum. She holds a Master of Science in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Urban Studies at the University of New Orleans. Together with late husband Dr. Peter W. Dangerfield, she co-authored “Voice of the Poor” Citizens Participation in Rebuilding New Orleans, published in 2009 by the National Black Political Scientists Association. Ms. Dangerfield is a founding chair of the Ujaama Economic Development Corporation and a member of the Board of Directors of GoodWork Network. 

Darrel Saizan is the principal of Darrel J. Saizan and Associates, Inc. A firm that specializes in transportation planning, economic and community development, and project management. Currently Vice President of the New Orleans Industrial Development Board. Presently involved as part of the Master Consultant Team for the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (LANOIA). Presently involved in the US 61/Tulane Ave Corridor Transportation Master Plan for the Regional Planning Commission (RPC). Previously a member of the planning team for the Baton Rouge to New Orleans Intercity Rail Feasibility Study sponsored by RPC and the Southern Rail Commission (SRC). Mr. Saizan was a member of the construction management team for the UPT/Loyola to Canal Street Rail Expansion Project for the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. Previously involved in the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal Multimodal (NOUPT) Infrastructure Improvement Project and the NOUPT Master Plan Update for RPC. Also involved on the planning team for the Jefferson/Orleans East-West Corridor/Earhart Boulevard study for LADOTD. Previously involved as a Project Coordinator/Transportation Planner for the Louisiana Statewide Rail Plan and the NOUPT Multimodal Project. Previously involved as Project Manager in the construction of the new Warehouse and Shops Facility for the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board. As part of all the above listed projects, this firm has also been involved in consensus building among stakeholders and structuring community/institutional partnerships in support of the goals of each project. This firm is certified as a DBE by NORTA, NOAB, The Regional Planning Commission, LADOTD, and is certified under the Louisiana Unified Certification Program.