About Us
WakeUP Wake County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization that leads public engagement on housing, transportation, and environmental stewardship in the Triangle region of North Carolina.
WakeUP’s mission is to ensure healthy, equitable, and sustainable communities for all residents in the region by educating both citizens and policymakers about how the region should plan for growth, with a focus on social equity, environmental health, and economic viability.
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History
Formed as a nonprofit grassroots collective in 2006, WakeUP has consistently been a leading voice representing citizens in land use issues like climate, transit, clean water, housing, and open space. The organization was created to respond to the complex benefits and challenges of rapid growth and development in Wake County and the wider Triangle Region of North Carolina. We are the only organization in the region that analyzes and acts on land use issues in the context of historic racial and socioeconomic inequities, while focusing on the changes we need so that all residents of our community thrive.
Advocates for sustainable growth planning
As well-established advocates for sustainable growth planning for almost two decades, WakeUP’s leadership has contributed significantly to the quality of life in Wake County. The area’s ability to meet the demands for safe water, affordable housing, top-quality education, and multimodal transportation are key to our region being recognized nationally as a “best place” to live. Growth in urban areas is continuing at a rapid pace, and Triangle citizens must sustain their efforts to advocate for environmental care and community development that includes all voices in decisions around land use, housing, and transportation.
Uniquely positioned to enact change
Planning today for tomorrow has served Wake County well. WakeUP’s leaders have provided access to expertise and ignited high levels of community engagement around multiple issues directly affecting the quality of life in our area. The organization is uniquely positioned to enact change in one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. As the longest standing voice at the intersection of social, economic, and environmental sustainability, WakeUP will continue to do the work of engaging members and leaders to help create a thriving future for Wake County.
Staff
Roberta Fox
Executive Director
Roberta Fox, AIA, ASLA is the founder, owner, and lead designer of Catalyst Design PLLC, which focusses on strategic planning, project delivery, and transportation architecture and the people-centered spaces around them. She currently serves as Chair of the Raleigh Planning Commission. Bert was also Assistant Planning Director of the Raleigh Department of City Planning and the Civic Design and Implementation Manager of the Raleigh Urban Design Center. She earned a Master of Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University.
Layal Sadik
Community Outreach & Communications Specialist
Layal is a senior at Appalachian State University. She has led many projects with WakeUP, including a self-initiated study of walkability, bikeability, and transit across our country. Her research includes looking at how eco-friendly mobility functions in U.S. cities that are similarly-sized to Raleigh, along with some exciting local efforts in the area.
Our Valued Partners
WUWC’s board and staff have invested countless hours building relationships with an extensive network of partner organizations. Each of our partners brings unique energy and expertise to our growing movement in Wake County. Organizations who share our values and support our efforts to achieve our goals include: