Structural racism in land use, infrastructure, and lending policies have physically divided and damaged communities of color and denied generations opportunities for wealth-building. Frontline community and advocacy organizations, frequently led by people of color, have fought these discriminatory practices and policies as well as their de facto effects for years, often with little support from … Continued
Efforts to advance equity in today’s environment face major structural setbacks, including the recent Supreme Court decision overturning affirmative action and reduced corporate commitment to DEI. Panelists representing a range of fields, including transportation, housing, and the civic sector, will reflect on how they are continuing to center equity in the face of these challenges. … Continued
What is the Healing Our Highways grant program? Smart Growth America, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kresge Foundation, is launching our new grant program: Healing Our Highways. This initiative aims to generate creative ideas and activities that build knowledge, connections, and power within disadvantaged communities most harmed by transportation … Continued
The Equity Summit is more than a conference. It’s a time to connect movement leaders, identify key needs within the field, and build a community of mutual support and encouragement among practitioners who may be discouraged by resistance to meaningful progress. Here’s what you can expect. Over the course of our two-day program, participants will … Continued
Charles T. Brown Equitable Cities LLC Founder & CEO Learn more about Charles Charles T. Brown, MPA, CPD, LCI, is more than a transportation expert—he is a catalyst for transformative change at the crossroads of mobility, equity, health, and the environment. As the dynamic force behind Equitable Cities LLC, a minority and veteran-owned consulting firm, … Continued
April De Simone Practice of Democracy Founder, Managing Principal NOMA, Associate AIA Learn more about April At the intersection of social dynamics and spatial design, Ms. De Simone is a socio-spatial practitioner who navigates and investigates the intricate relationship between individuals and their built environment. Her interdisciplinary approach incorporates architectural phenomenology, a philosophical framework that … Continued
Save the date for the Equity Summit Save the date for the 2024 Equity Summit: Meeting the Moment. The Summit gathers housing, transportation, and community development advocates and leaders to learn from one another and identify tools to advance racial equity through smart growth. The dynamic two-day program will be held in person for the first time on March 27-28, … Continued
The Community Connectors program offers technical support and funding for communities working to repair the damage of divisive infrastructure in an effort to reconnect communities. The new Community Connectors program is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and conducted in partnership with Equitable Cities, the New Urban Mobility Alliance, and America Walks. Smart Growth … Continued
Deadline Extended: Proposals are now due on Friday, August 25th. About SGA Smart Growth America (SGA) is a national non-profit organization which is dedicated to advancing equitable, sustainable land use, development and transportation. The organization empowers communities through technical assistance, advocacy and thought leadership to create livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity. We work … Continued
Beginning in the 1950s, highways devastated communities of color and changed our cities forever. But the consequences continue, even as we begin to acknowledge our past mistakes. Why? Our new report examines the racist roots of our current transportation system, revealing that flawed thinking continues to haunt our policies and practices. Without a fundamental change … Continued