J. Phillip Thompson

J. Phillip Thompson is Professor of Urban Planning and Politics at MIT. From 2018-2021, Phil was Deputy Mayor of New York for Strategic Policy and Initiatives. As Deputy Mayor, Phil oversaw nearly 20 agencies, including small business and workforce, consumer affairs, immigration, and youth programs. Phil was also co-chair of the Task Force on Racial Equity and Inclusion and a member of the Charter Revision Commission. Phil is a co-founder of Emerald Cities Collaborative (2009). Phil’s academic research focuses on black politics, community development, and political economy. Phil earned a PhD in Political Science from the City University of New York Graduate Center, a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Hunter College, and a B.A. in Sociology from Harvard University.