It is with heavy hearts that NACDD acknowledges the passing of Justin Lehman in late February. Known as “Mr. WalkWorks” in the state of Pennsylvania, Justin’s passion for physical activity and walkable communities was evident to everyone. He was an avid enthusiast for all things healthy living, active transportation, and built environment. And perhaps even more, he believed that access to healthy places, transportation, and being able to move actively and freely as basic human rights of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, ability, disability, or zip code. Justin personified this in his own personal life and dedicated his professional life to this cause. He was – and still is – regarded as one of the nation’s experts in this space.
Justin’s fingerprints are forever upon NACDD’s Center for Advancing Healthy Communities (CAHC). He participated in the 2020 inaugural Walkability Virtual Academy during the pandemic. He loved cheering on the Allegheny County and Montgomery County Pennsylvania teams in their pursuit of more equitable, walkable, and movable places, and he was an active participant of the National Walkability Action Institute (WAI) Alumni Network. He was also an active participant in the Building Resilient Inclusive Communities (BRIC) program, where for the last three years he regularly participated in BRIC training and technical assistance opportunities, especially those that included peer sharing with others working in the physical activity and built environment spaces. As he readily shared ideas, challenges, and opportunities in these conversations, Justin’s commitment to this work and to the Pennsylvania WalkWorks program was plain to see. During his BRIC involvement, Justin worked with colleagues to ensure accessibility of the WalkWorks program, which supports local active transportation projects, and to eliminate barriers to application for this state funding. Justin led the development and implementation of a community capacity-building plan, informed by community voice, to increase the program’s reach to rural and other vulnerable communities. Additionally, he worked to increase equity and anti-racism in WalkWorks to enhance the inclusion of vulnerable populations in the development of community active transportation plans and similar policies.
Since hearing this devastating news, the CAHC team has reflected on what a passionate, humble, and warmhearted person Justin was. We are all grateful to have worked with him and we commit to celebrating his legacy by continuing to be advocates for the things he stood for and believed in. While we are in shock and feel immense sadness for Justin’s family, friends, and colleagues, we will be forever grateful for all the ways he made us, our field, and our places better.
