Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advocacy Across Conservative Landscapes

This presentation provides planners a guide to establishing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) committees while balancing the needs across a state or organization with conservative and liberal values. Representatives from the APA Kentucky, Iowa, Louisiana, and Florida chapters offer methods to address challenges inherent in such contexts.

The session outlines lessons learned on the importance of EDI committees and advocates in fostering inclusive environments in the workplace / community, participation in legislature, and providing education and outreach opportunities.

Included are the challenges that planners in Middle America face, such as resistance to change, lack of awareness, and concerns about political polarization, plus opportunities to address these challenges through:
1. Strategic Communication: Participants learn communication strategies to articulate the benefits of equity in more conservative terms, emphasizing shared values like community development, economic growth, and efficient resource utilization.
2. Stakeholder Engagement: Techniques are offered for engaging diverse stakeholders, including local leaders, business owners, and community members, emphasizing the creation of a shared vision aligning with ‘traditional’ values while fostering inclusivity.
3. Adaptive Implementation: Tools are introduced to adapt EDI initiatives to community needs – leveraging local traditions, partnering with faith-based organizations, framing equity as a means to strengthen social cohesion.

Access this session with closed captions (Wordly)