It’s Never Been a Level Playing Field
Steve Brigham
A nonfiction examination of racial myths, systemic inequality, public policy, and paths toward change.
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Steve Brigham
Public engagement leader and nonfiction author writing about racial inequality, public policy, housing, education, and systemic change.
Nonfiction & Reference
About
Steve Brigham is a leader in the public engagement field who, for the past twenty-five years, has served as a facilitator, consultant, and designer of complex public meetings and community-building processes on critical public policy issues.
He co-founded Public Engagement Associates in 2014, with significant work throughout the metro D.C. area and Prince George’s County on land-use policy, affordable housing, transportation, economic development, and public school redistricting.
He is the author of It’s Never Been a Level Playing Field: Overcoming 8 Racial Myths to Even the Field and the Substack newsletter “Leveling the Field (finally!).” His broader body of work also includes published research and public-policy writing on workforce development, equitable development, housing, education, and community engagement.
Featured book
Selected Research & Publications
Beyond his trade book and ongoing public commentary, Steve Brigham has contributed to research and policy work focused on workforce development, equitable development, civic engagement, and community opportunity.
Long-Term Workforce Development Strategies for the Purple Line Corridor
Purple Line Corridor Coalition / National Center for Smart Growth, University of Maryland
Ensuring a More Inclusive and Equitable Workforce Recovery in the Post-Pandemic Era examines barriers to workforce opportunity in the Purple Line corridor and outlines strategies for building stronger, more inclusive employment and training pathways.
Read the reportArticles & Commentary by Steve Brigham
How Tiny Homes Are Becoming a Powerful Tool for Solving Our Biggest Crises
Tiny homes are moving from niche to mainstream, supporting disaster recovery, reducing homelessness, and expanding the affordable housing toolkit.
How Tiny Homes Are Emerging as a Scalable Solution to America’s Most Pressing Housing Challenges
A human-centered look at tiny homes, homelessness, disaster displacement, Housing First, and supportive services.
20+ Years of Activism to Get a New School in Our Fairwood Community
A first-person account of sustained community organizing, public engagement, setbacks, and the long campaign to bring a new elementary school to Fairwood.
We Will Be Jaguars: A Book Review
Steve reflects on Nemonte Nenquimo’s memoir and the larger questions it raises about Indigenous identity, cultural survival, environmental pressure, and resistance.
Follow Steve’s ongoing commentary
Steve continues writing about public policy, racial equity, community engagement, housing, education, books, and social change through his Substack newsletter, Leveling the Field (finally!).