Fayola Jacobs

Fayola Jacobs is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Urban Planning. Her research focuses on the intersection of Black geographies, Black feminisms, radical planning, and environmental justice, examining how systemic injustices shape global Black communities' environmental experiences. She views disasters as opportunities to envision equitable futures for Black environmental communities.

She holds a PhD in Urban and Regional Sciences from Texas A&M University and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to her academic role, she was a postdoctoral associate with the CREATE Initiative at Minnesota and worked in mental health, developing anti-oppression workshops addressing migration, racism, and mental health.

Jacobs is affiliated with the Division of Research & Innovation and the Center of Excellence for Housing & Community Development Policy Research. She contributes to interdisciplinary teams within the HCDPR, collaborating with researchers like Jeffery Lowe, Laura Solitare, and others on policy-driven urban planning initiatives. Her work bridges academic inquiry with actionable policy to address systemic inequities in disaster mitigation and climate adaptation.