Vision

Prospericity is a platform for ideas about how cities can thrive. Book reviews, photographs, policy analysis, travel writing, and thoughtful musings of all kinds are included and encouraged. The project aims to include diverse voices from a liberal point of view, broadly conceived. An emerging area of interest for project founder Matthew Mitchell relates to public schools and ways to help this critical institution of urban life succeed in a changing world. 

Founder

Photo by Adebo Thomas

Matthew Mitchell is a math teacher, poet, and writer based in Sacramento, California. A graduate of Pomona College, Matt also holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University. Before becoming a teacher he worked for many years on workforce, economic development, and environmental policy issues in both New York City and California. His ongoing fascination with cities as laboratories for human potential formed the impetus for this project. Make sure to check out his 2025 novel Love Economy and his 2022 poetry chapbook The Adored Garden.

Collaborators

Joel Newman

Also a graduate of Pomona College, Joel Newman is a language development teacher and immigration policy expert. Read his essays in The Anti-Authoritarian.

Adebo Thomas

Adebo Thomas is a math teacher and professional photographer. Check out his luminous individual and environmental portraits here.