Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Update: February 2021

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Update: February 2021

by Brian H. Starkey PLA, ASLA

On January 19, members of the committee met virtually and agreed to a mission statement with objectives for the committee.  On February 4th, the NCASLA Executive Committee accepted the mission statement formalizing the previous “Beyond the Statement Task Force” into the permanent Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Following is the committee’s mission statement and supporting objectives:

Mission Statement

The mission of the DEI Committee is to identify and act on opportunities to advocate for diversity in the profession of Landscape Architecture through the support of students and practitioners who self-identify as members of under-represented groups and to seek out opportunities to support improvements in under-resourced communities within the framework of the profession of Landscape Architecture.

Objectives

  • Facilitate opportunities for mentorship of under-represented students and emerging professionals

  • Elevate awareness about diversity in the profession of Landscape Architecture and our communities

  •  Advocate for physical improvement projects in under resourced communities

  • Provide opportunities for members of under-resourced communities to discover Landscape Architecture

  • Educate the design community about the contributions of a diversity of practitioners in Landscape Architecture

  • Facilitate financial support for member students

Committee members are forging a relationship with Oberlin Village, an early African American neighborhood in Raleigh and partnership with NC A&T to identify a community based project for students during the fall 2021 semester.  Students will have an opportunity to interact with residents of Oberlin Village and the “Friends of Oberlin Village” during the design process, learn about the history of this neighborhood, and help create a plan that will likely focus on creating a space that reveals part of the history of this important community.

Members of the committee have also met with SEEDS, a community garden a not for profit in Durham to explore ways of supporting that organization in under-resourced neighborhoods.