SAT-C04: Equity-Washing? Let’s Have a Real Conversation About Equity in the Profession

Saturday, October 11, 2025

3:45 PM - 5:00 PM CT

Location: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Room 209-210

1.25 PDH, LA CES/HSW, AICP, NY/HSW, FL

Speaker(s)

Kate Brooks, ASLA, PLA (she/her/hers)

Associate Principal
ZGF
Portland, Oregon
Paul Fragua, Affil. ASLA

Native Nation Building Studio Co-Founder, Elder, Architect and Planner
MIG, Inc.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Arathi Gowda, AIA, AICP, LFA, LEED BD+C (she/her/hers)

Principal
ZGF
Washington, D.C., District of Columbia

How do we move beyond DEI rhetoric that proclaims a commitment to creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizations, projects, and society? The word “equity” has become an integral part of our profession, but what does it truly mean, and how can we ensure it’s more than a buzzword?

Learning Outcomes:

Understand the historical context and current realities of inequities.
Focus on an understanding of the complexities of privilege and intersectionality, while also fostering discussion and reflection.
Foster a deeper understanding of privilege and oppression by encouraging participants to reflect on their own experiences and those of others.
Discuss three key actions to actualize equity in our work: Get Informed, Have an Open Mind, and Be an Advocate. Explore how true equity goes beyond policy by fostering empathy, engaging with diverse perspectives, and creating inclusive, values-driven environments through intentional, community-centered practices.