Xavier de Souza Briggs’ career is nothing short of extraordinary. As a scholar and public servant born in 1968, Briggs has achieved remarkable milestones and continues to break new ground. If you ever hear his name, know it is well-earned. Here, bronxski.com dives into the story of this distinguished individual whose successes are closely tied to the Bronx.
Early Life
Born in 1968 in Miami, Xavier de Souza Briggs spent his early childhood in Nassau, the Bahamas. This background makes him an American of Bahamian heritage. His mother, Angela, is the daughter of Bill Aranha, a former officer of the Nassau Crown Lands in the 1940s. His father, Nevin, was a physician on one of the islands and of Canadian descent. Briggs’ uncle was a retired airline pilot.
In an interview, Briggs described himself as a “person of color of mixed heritage” and highlighted his family’s long-standing public service legacy spanning five generations. His lineage also ties to the Black Seminole nation, which has roots in Brazil and even Europe during the 19th century.
Education and Academic Pursuits
After a few years in the Bahamas, Briggs returned to the United States in 1976. He began his education at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami, a Catholic institution with strong Cuban-American connections.
Briggs went on to attend Stanford University in California, where he gained practical experience working with Moore Iacofano Goltsman, an innovative project firm based in Berkeley. He was also awarded a Rotary scholarship to study in Brazil, where he researched education and community development. During this time, he authored his own version of the course Invisible America, which reflected his thoughts on democratic experimental education. This course later became the foundation for a book exploring alternative educational approaches.
In 1993, Briggs earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University. He completed his PhD in Sociology and Education at Columbia University in 1996, cementing his academic foundation for a career in research and public policy.
Research in the Bronx
One of Briggs’ early professional successes involved a project on planning for “quality of life” in the Bronx. Launched in 1996 at Harvard, this initiative aimed to address the unique challenges of urban renewal. In the United States, it was understood that no universal solution could revive cities or neighborhoods plagued by recession, crime, lack of investment, and related issues. Every community required a tailored approach based on its demographics, challenges, and strengths.
Briggs worked in six impoverished neighborhoods in the South Bronx, focusing on improving residents’ quality of life. His team collected data and analyzed strategies for restoring racial and economic equity and attracting investments. The project emphasized grassroots involvement, empowering residents to shape solutions relevant to their lives and communities. This research earned Briggs an award from the American Planning Association.
The South Bronx study, which emerged from a landmark civil rights case in Yonkers, New York, was later adapted into the HBO series Show Me a Hero.
Career Beyond the Bronx
After this groundbreaking project, Briggs took a leave of absence to join President Bill Clinton’s administration. He worked in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, focusing on housing reconstruction and economic development programs for rural and impoverished areas. Following his tenure in Washington, Briggs returned to Harvard before joining the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2005.
MIT and Writing
Briggs’ association with MIT began in 2002 with the writing of his book The Geography of Opportunity. This work examined housing segregation, which persists in the U.S. despite being illegal. Briggs explored how segregation based on race, ethnicity, and income could be mitigated by altering housing models and reducing economic and social disparities. The book also delved into discriminatory real estate practices, land acquisition policies, and the socio-economic implications of residential segregation.
In 2009, Briggs published another influential book, Democracy as Problem Solving: Civic Capacity in Communities Across the Globe. This work proposed reforms and solutions for governance in countries like the U.S., India, South Africa, and Brazil. It received the C. Wright Mills Award for its innovative theories on the function and form of democracy, emphasizing local governance, negotiation, accountability, and community participation.
From 2005 to 2014, Briggs served as a professor in MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning.
Leadership Roles and Ford Foundation
In 2014, Briggs took another leave of absence to become Vice President of the Ford Foundation. Here, he focused on inclusive economies and global economic opportunities, serving until 2019. During this period, he also contributed to research on inclusive markets.
In 2019, Briggs began teaching at New York University.
Contributions to Knowledge and Practice
Briggs has developed two online tools for teaching leadership and solving community problems. In 2010, he co-authored Moving to Opportunity: The Story of America’s Experiment to Fight Ghetto Poverty, which examined issues like inaccessible housing and the lack of prospects for underprivileged families.
He has also served as an advisor to the Rockefeller Foundation and the World Bank and participated in Aspen Institute’s Community Change Roundtable. His insights have appeared in publications such as The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Salon.com, as well as on National Public Radio.
Recent Work
In 2020, Briggs joined President Joe Biden’s team, addressing issues related to small businesses and the United States Postal Service.
Xavier de Souza Briggs exemplifies the power of public service and scholarship. His innovative research, leadership, and advocacy have left an indelible mark on urban planning, housing equity, and community development.