Yolanda Davis-Overstreet (she/her/hers)

Affiliations: 

• Founder of Biking While Black
• Board of Directors, California Bicycle Coalition
• Highway Safety Commissioner, Los Angeles County Supervisorial District 2 (Supervisor Holly Mitchell)

What was childhood like for you from an urban planning and community development perspective?

I was born and raised in the historic West Adams neighborhood, a community of color that was redlined. Growing up in the 1960s, I developed a love for bicycling at a young age, riding with my sister and friends throughout the neighborhood—to nearby parks, schoolyards, and markets to grab all the treats kids love.

Back then, most of the neighborhood kids spent their days outside, riding bikes and running back and forth to each other’s homes. I was aware that some things in my community could have been better—like having cleaner streets without trash and illegal dumpsites, more crosswalks, and fewer neglected buildings that had gone untouched for decades. While I noticed these conditions, I didn’t dwell on them. My family and friends kept me engaged, nurturing my curiosity and forward-thinking mindset, so I didn’t fully grasp the deeper issues of infrastructure and environmental injustice at the time. That being said, I was always aware of the imbalance as I moved between well-maintained communities and less cared-for spaces like the one I called home. There was always the presence of imbalance as I moved in and out of the communities well-maintained and those like less attractive spaces like where I lived.

What sparked your passion in the field of urban planning and community development?

By the time I reached adulthood, I fully recognized that my neighborhood—and its pedestrian and biking infrastructure—were not receiving fair investment to make it safer or more welcoming for residents. Communities of color like mine were also becoming increasingly unsafe due to rising traffic congestion, leading to more traffic violence. On top of that, oppressive racial profiling by police disproportionately targeted Black and Brown residents, further deepening systemic injustices.

Over time, my connection to the city grew stronger, particularly in the areas of mobility justice and community investment. As a mother, bicyclist, and advocate, I became deeply committed to creating safer, more equitable spaces for my community.

How does that passion manifest in your current role?

The work I do goes beyond bicycling and bike lanes—it’s about how Black and BIPOC communities can collectively cultivate a belief system that empowers us to reimagine safer, more inclusive mobility. It’s about asserting our right to move freely and belong.

For me, riding a bike is part of my DNA—it brings me joy, fosters meaningful connections, and strengthens community. Through Biking While Black, my work focuses on educating people about the purpose of mobility justice advocacy and its role in creating safer public spaces for Black and BIPOC individuals to bike and navigate their communities with dignity and freedom.

This work is also restorative, uniting neighbors and strangers alike, connecting riders with local businesses, and fostering a deep sense of belonging that transcends racial and economic divides.

Where do you see opportunities in the field to move the needle towards a Beloved Community?

I truly believe that Biking While Black is being built with intentional wisdom and purpose for the next generation. We are laying the groundwork for Black and BIPOC Angelenos—and beyond to reimagine how they can carry on in this mission—to nurture and plan communities where they feel a true sense of belonging. Communities with healthy surroundings, where they and the residents can safely ride their bikes to school, the local markets, community gardens, and the like, without fear. 

I believe forward-thinking and restorative opportunities are radically transpiring—bringing diverse approaches to reimagining and implementing programs and policies that prioritize safer streets, equitable transportation, and housing integration. These efforts must also enforce a zero-tolerance stance on unjust enforcement practices, ensuring that no one is racially profiled or harmed by police simply because of the color of their skin while moving through public space.

This work is about elevating mobility justice to solidify an unwavering reality—one where future Black and BIPOC generations can freely move with dignity and safety. Whether biking, walking, taking public transit, or driving when necessary, we deserve the freedom to navigate our communities without fear. This was the dream our grandparents and ancestors fought for, enduring countless challenges and standing resilient against all odds. There is still much work to do, and with that comes much more REIMAGINING!

What’s one piece of advice you would give to inspire, empower, and influence positive change?

When you recognize the value and gift of contributing to your community, you step into infinite possibilities that benefit not only yourself but everyone around you. This, I now understand, is what it truly means to live a full and meaningful life!