Equity Diversity Inclusion
APA has made a focused commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in all forms, as a means to achieving thriving communities in which everyone has equal opportunity to live a safe, healthy and prosperous life.
Diversity and Inclusion Mission, Vision, and Strategy
Participants at the Plan4Equity Forum in San Francisco at the 2019 National Planning Conference. Photo by The Photo Group.
APA reached a milestone in April 2018 when the APA Board of Directors approved a Diversity and Inclusion strategy. This sets forth an association-wide plan for how we better promote the understanding and practices of diversity and inclusion, both within and outside the planning community and profession.
This strategy is the result of years of conversation and dedication among our members and leaders, and APA thanks the many voices that paved the way for this organizational transformation and fostered the roots of meaningful change.
APA Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
Centering Equity in Planning
In 2019, APA's Board accepted the report of a special Social Equity Task Force and ratified the Equity in Planning Policy Guide. Recommendations from both documents were reviewed by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and are being integrated into the existing Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. APA's elected leaders are currently centering equity in the organization's strategic planning process.
Achieving a foundation built on equity, and promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion, is an evolutionary process that will require ongoing learning and improvement. The goals in the strategy are being carried out on many fronts over time by various levels of leadership, component groups, member volunteers and staff.
This webpage will be updated regularly to describe how this journey is coming to life dynamically.
Voices of Equity in Planning Video Series
Equity is a necessary guiding principle for planners and all who participate in the process of planning as advisors, advocates, and decision makers. The first video in APA's new multi-part series, Voices of Equity in Planning, includes interviews with public- and private-sector planners across the country, whose work has centered equity for years.
How Can YOU Get Involved?
- Access tools that help you inegrate equity into planning practice through APA’s new Social Equity Research KnowledgeBase.
- Understand and apply the concept of "equity in all policies," as described in the Planning for Equity Policy Guide.
- Volunteer as an APA Ambassador to educate and empower youth, and reach diverse audiences with messaging about the value of planning in communities.
- Join one of APA's population-based divisions for more direct interaction with women, Latino, LGBTQ and Black planners.
- Volunteer on your local chapter diversity committee, or take the lead in creating new programs and initiatives.
- Enroll in the Diversity and Inclusion Training Series in APA Learn.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee contributes to learning that advances an EDI-focused culture within APA and the profession, and provides insights to APA elected and executive leadership on equity, diversity and inclusion that advances APA's approved strategies.
Silvia E. Vargas, FAICP | Chair
Elizabeth (Libby) Tyler, FAICP | Vice Chair
Committee Members
Batul Ather
Angela D. Brooks, AICP
Marcella Bondie Keenan, AICP
Alexander D. Cahill
Edna Ledesma, PhD
Victoria Mason-Ailey, AICP
Mehri Mohebbi, PhD
Perris Straughter, AICP
Susan A. Wood, FAICP
Staff Liaisons
Liz Lang
Yaminah Noonoo
APA Chapters and Divisions
APA Chapters and Divisions are actively committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity within local communities and the broader planning field.
APA Divisions and EDI
APA Divisions connect you with other planning professionals who share your passions, challenges, and experiences. Although all APA divisions are committed to promoting diversity and equity within local communities as well as the field, four APA divisions and one interest group specifically focus on planning issues that concern special populations. Explore what Divisions have to offer (students can join up to five for free).
APA Chapters and EDI
Chapters get you involved in APA close to home. They're your local source for networking and professional development. You'll share experiences with colleagues and broaden your perspective beyond your commission or office. When you join APA, you automatically become a member of your local chapter.
A number of chapters are engaged in addressing diversity and social equity. Chapters are hosting their own diversity summits, offering mentoring programs, and cultivating diverse chapter leaders. The following APA Chapters have active diversity committees:
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Florida
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York Metro
- North Carolina
- Northern New England Chapter (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire)
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Visit your local chapter's website to learn more about its diversity efforts and to catch up on the latest planning information in your region.
Equity Diversity Inclusion Blog Posts
APA Library E-Book Collection on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
For more resources on these topics, please visit the APA library's e-book collection (available for checkout by APA members).
Diversity Resources
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Promoting Diversity and Inclusive Communities
Discover the barriers to integration of diversity in planning education and practice through recent studies that explore perceptions and personal experiences of diversity in the workplace, practice, and education. Learn strategies to foster diversity and promote culturally competent planning.Nonmember Group License$45.00Member Group License$22.50Nonmember Group License$51.00Member Group License$25.50Nonmember$60.00Member$30.00- Ivis Garcia, AICP
- Marla Parker
- Giovania Tiarachristie
- April Jackson
#9155402
Planning for Equity
Creating equitable outcomes requires a commitment to applying different approaches to planning practice. Explore case studies and practical actions that everyday planners can take to plan for more equitable growth and development.Nonmember Group License$30.00Member Group License$15.00Nonmember Group License$34.00Member Group License$17.00Nonmember$40.00Member$20.00- Broderick Bagert
- Juan Castillo
- Saneta devuono-powell
- Eric Engstrom, AICP
- Tina Yuen
#9155377
Diversity and Inclusion Training Series
Planning for diversity and inclusion requires intentional efforts to dismantle systems of oppression and advance liberation and self-determination. This course equips planners with concepts and skills to perform inclusive and equitable planning and work effectively in diverse communities.26-100 Learners Nonmember Group Price$60.0026 - 100 Learners Member Group Pricing$30.005-25 Learners Nonmember Group Price$68.005-25 Learners Member Group Pricing$34.001-4 Learners Nonmember Price$80.001-4 Learners Member Price$40.00- Daniel Lim
- Giovania Tiarachristie
#9171811
Fostering Social Equity and Inclusive Growth Series
Social equity is the defining issue of our time. In light of today's political uncertainties and challenges we put together this three-part series to help planners foster broad-based, inclusive growth, and ensure they are creating more just and equitable communities. Take this course to learn more about how planners are making a difference.Nonmember Group License$97.50Member Group License$48.75Nonmember Group License$110.50Member Group License$55.25Nonmember$130.00Member$65.00- Cynthia Bowen, FAICP
- Carlton Eley
- Jess Zimbabwe
- Majestic Lane
#9155897
Planning for Equity Policy Guide
by: American Planning AssociationAPA's first-ever Planning for Equity Policy Guide identifies policy recommendations for planners to advocate for equity in all aspects of planning at local, state, and federal levels.
Planning With Diverse Communities
PAS Report 593by: Ivis Garcia, AICP, Andrea Garfinkel-Castro, Deirdre Pfeiffer, AICPThe U.S. will become a “majority-minority” country by the mid-2040s. More than before, planners must serve diverse publics and build inclusive communities. This PAS Report offers the tools planners need to engage people of color and improve quality of life for all in ethnically and racially diverse communities.List price$25.00APA member & PAS subscriber$0.00
Planning Ethics and Today's Challenges
All practitioners sometimes grapple with the right thing to do in complex and often ambiguous situations that seem inconsistent with their own experiences or the AICP code. Learn how to make ethical decisions more easily.Nonmember Group License$45.00Member Group License$22.50Nonmember Group License$51.00Member Group License$25.50Nonmember$60.00Member$30.00- Carolyn Loh
- Bonnie Johnson, FAICP, PhD
- Mickey Lauria
- Nader Afzalan
- Lisa Schweitzer
- Sandra Rosenbloom
#9155424
Queer and the Conversation: Full Inclusion
Consider ethical responsibilities in reducing homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism; learn to create safer, freer environments for all community members; and practice being mindful of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.Nonmember Group License$45.00Member Group License$22.50Nonmember Group License$51.00Member Group License$25.50Nonmember$60.00Member$30.00- Cade Hobbick, AICP
- Vanessa Delgado
- Bonnie Johnson, FAICP, PhD
#9155344