Urbanational is a concept, social brand, and living framework shaped by ongoing inquiry into how people dwell in cities—how homes are developed, owned, cared for, and experienced over time.
The work is informed by research, lived practice, community engagement, and collaboration. While Urbanational is designed to evolve through partnership and shared contribution, it is currently stewarded by its founder, who is responsible for articulating its framework, guiding its early projects, and ensuring alignment with its core values.
Clarissa Cummings is the founder and steward of Urbanational. Her work sits at the intersection of housing, community development, and social practice, with a long-standing focus on dignity, care, and equity in the built environment.
Clarissa holds graduate-level training in social justice–oriented housing and community development, and her academic and professional work has explored issues of displacement, anti-gentrification, and the role of dwelling in shaping social outcomes. Her experience includes international engagement in South Africa, where she worked on community-based initiatives that deepened her understanding of housing, land, and power in postcolonial urban contexts.
In Baltimore, Clarissa has been actively involved in housing and neighborhood-based work, including serving as an Airbnb Community Leader. Through this role and her own housing stewardship practice, she has engaged with questions of responsible ownership, maintenance, and the social responsibilities of landlords within urban neighborhoods.
These experiences inform Urbanational’s central premise: that dwelling is not merely a physical condition, but a social and ethical practice—one that requires care, accountability, and attention over time.We offer a variety of programs to help our clients get back on their feet. From job training to mental health counseling, we provide the resources and support necessary to help individuals achieve their goals.