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Planning for True Equity – Tools to Advance Equitable Urban Planning with Lakeshia Wright

Summary:

This episode is part of our Celebrating Black History Month podcast series where students in the Sustainable Urban Planning program at the George Washington University interview Black and African American planners and urbanists. In this episode, graduate student Ugonna Njeze interviews Lakeshia Wright, AICP, on what equitable urban planning looks like and how to support people of color in the field of urban planning. They discuss skills planners can add to their equity toolkits to promote meaningful change for minority communities. Lakeshia shares her personal journey as a woman of color in the field of urban planning, providing insights on finding joy, overcoming barriers, and using your voice.

Highlights from the Conversation:

• Career milestones
• Understanding unconscious biases and cognitive dissonance
• Navigating contentious topics
• Inclusive urbanism
• Challenging the silo mentality
• Creating a culture of respect
• Building your network
• Advice for emerging professionals
• Impacts of technology on people of color

Guest Mini Bio:

• Lakeshia Wright, AICP, is an urban planner, UX researcher, and data disrupter currently working as a senior UX researcher and strategist at Happy Cog.
• Connect with her on LinkedIn or get in touch via email.

Learn More!

• On biases:
  • 2021 American Planning Association (APA) blog: The Continued Challenges of Bias and Discrimination Within Planning Education
• Equitable urban development case studies:
  • APA’s Equity in Practice
• Using data and technology for equitable planning:
  • Greenlink Equity Map: Community of Practice

Credits:

• A special thanks to guest speaker Lakeshia Wright
• Interview by Ugonna Njeze
• Intro and outro by Alex Davis
• Produced by Reagan Smith

Supporting Minority Communities and Inspiring Women of Color in the Age of Climate Change with Allie Thompson

Summary:

This episode is part of our Celebrating Black History Month podcast series where students in the Sustainable Urban Planning program at George Washington University interview Black and African American planners and urbanists. In this episode, grad student Courtney Carothers interviews alumna Allie Thompson on environmental and climate justice and the impacts on communities of color. They discuss the struggles and triumphs of being a woman of color in the field of urban planning and strategies for self-care. Allie offers powerful advice for combatting imposter syndrome and prioritizing mental health as well as the importance of finding your passion, building your network, and connecting to a mentor.   

Highlights from the Conversation:

• Climanomics – The Economic Impacts of Climate Change
• Climate Risk
• Supporting Communities of Color
• Environmental Justice
• Transportation Planning and Gentrification
• Representation and STEM
• Inspiring and Supporting Black and Brown Girls in Science
• Meteorology and Climate Threats
• Equity versus Equality
• Addressing the Disconnect between Policy Makers and Community Needs

Guest Mini Bio:

• Allie Thompson is an alum of the GWU Sustainable Urban Planning program, and now works as a project lead at the tech start-up The Climate Service.
  • Follow her on Linkedin.
• Her recommendations to students and emerging planners include:
  • Find a mentor, build a support system and network.
  • Apply for jobs even when you do not meet all the requirements.
  • Build and earn trust, do overcommunicate, but do not overpromise what the city can provide.

Learn More!

• Check out The Climate Service.
  • Learn more about The Climate Service's Climanomics®
• Learn more about The American Planning Association (APA) and become a member!

Learn more about Equity scores from the Climate Equity Reference Project and The USC Center for Urban Education.

Credits:

A special thanks to Allie Thompson!

Interviewer: Courtney Carothers 

Organized and Co-Produced by: Alex Davis

Intro and Outro voice: Alex Davis

Produced by: Raven Nee

 

The Power of Listening - Equitable and Ethical Placemaking with Desiree D. Powell

Summary:

This episode is part of our Celebrating Black History Month podcast series where students in the Sustainable Urban Planning program at George Washington University interview Black and African American planners and urbanists. In this episode, graduate student Arielle Lofton interviews Desiree “Dee” Powell about her experiences in the field and how to ethically and equitable engage Black and Brown communities in placemaking. They discuss the historic inequities in urban planning and the current issues and threats to communities of color, as well as personal experiences and strategies to advocate for equity and inclusion.  From food trucks and food deserts to public speaking and software programs, Dee gives powerful advice for emerging and established planners alike, emphasizing the importance of listening.

Highlights from the Conversation:

• Urban Design
• The Power of Listening versus Lecturing
• Creating Inclusive Places and Spaces
• The Importance of Asking Questions and Building Trust when Engaging Communities
• The Why Factor – Craft Your Passion
• Access to Transit
• Food Trucks and Food Deserts
• Ethical and Equitable Placemaking
• Representation versus Tokenism and Leveraging Your Voice

Guest Mini Bio:

• Desire Powell is an urban planner, urban designer, and place maker working for the city of Port Arthur, Texas.
  • She earned her Master of Community and Regional Planning from University of Texas at Arlington College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.
  • Check out her website and Linkedin to see her current and past projects.
  • Follow her on Twitter @drbtsplanning and on Instagram @ thedee_p
• Check out some of the projects Dee has worked on below:
  • Check out the MLK Food Project
    • Learn more about the Better Block Foundation here!
  • The We Over Me Project
    • The Paul Quinn College transformed a football field into an organic farm to address food insecurity for underserved communities.

Learn More!

• Read a Modern Cities editorial Dee wrote in 2020: Walking the Racial Equity Walk
• Check out this organization Dee mentioned: Do the Things That Matter.
  • A space activation non-profit in Houston, Texas.
  • Follow them on Facebook too!
• Her top recommended professional development skills for emerging planners are:
  • Public Speaking, ArcGIS, Sketchup, and Adobe or other graphic design software. 

Credits:

A special thanks to Desiree D. Powell. Voice, research, and interview credits to: Arielle Lofton and Alex Davis. Intro and Outro voice: Alex Davis. Produced by: Raven Nee.