DAVID B. ROBINSON
PRINCIPAL PARTNER
David B. Robinson in an alumnus of Harold Washington's first administration’s economic development policy and program team in Chicago. In his role as a city planner and later as an assistant commissioner, he developed cutting edge programs and policy focusing on municipal recycling and solid waste management. He is regarded an early pioneer in that industry. He was also part of the research team that produced “The Steel Report” which focused on strategies designed to halt or slow industrial plant closings throughout the city during the 1980’s.
Robinson joined the Black United Fund and concentrated on strategic program design in the social entrepreneurship arena. He launched many innovative programs that helped at-risk individuals secure employment and mentoring to become more successful community members. One such program was the "Safe Passage" school initiative, which provided safety routes to and from school, and has been adopted citywide.
Robinson works to build political, community advocacy and policy linking public education and community wealth building to the modern manufacturing industry in the spirit of social inclusion. He is currently on the leadership team for a recently introduced Congressional bill that would bring $20 billion in training, job creation, company ownership, and manufacturing anchored community development to disenfranchised rural and urban communities throughout the nation. Robinson’s many awards and citations include Who’s Who among African- American Journalists in 1983 ; The Philadelphia Youth Services Award in 2003; The Pennsylvania Governor’s Excellence Award in 2004; The Living Legends: Passing the Torch Community Service Award in 2010, The Chicago Defender’s Men of Excellence Award in 2012. David Robinson can be reached at DRobinson@Obsidian-Consulting.net .
