Webinars & Videos

Planning strives to identify, assess, and address the needs of all members of communities. The profession recognizes residents' shared commonalities, while also acknowledging certain needs and challenges that may be specific to certain groups. Absent visibility, inclusion, and representation, the voices of LGBTQ+ residents, communities, and planners may not be heard. This webinar will discuss best practices to achieve inclusion and representation. Watch the webinar here. 

This ethics course is based on "Safe Zone" training provided by the Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity at the University of Kansas. The purpose of this training is to reduce homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism and thereby create safer and freer environments for all members of our communities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Watch the video here. 

Parramore is one of Orlando’s oldest African American communities, growing as a result of the Homestead Act of 1866 that attracted former slaves and whites to the area. However, segregationist policies were enforced by those in power in the city.  Division Street, now Division Avenue, marked the dividing line between black and white neighborhoods. 

A growing, successful black middle class in the 20^th century saw continued segregation.  In 1957, I-4 was built, and in 1974, the construction of the 408 Expressway further split Parramore, resulting in the displacement of thousands of residents, businesses, and churches.  Watch the video. 

The historically African American community of Royal, Fla. was threatened with a highway expansion that would have destroyed the community, cultural heritage and identity. Citizens, led by Beverly Steele, successfully advocated to have the roadway plans revised to divert the path away from Royal, saving the community. As part of the efforts, the history and culture of Royal was documented and the community is pursuing listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The 2022 Florida Planning Conference session 40 Acres and a Mule: Historic African American Community of Royal Maintaining Identity in a High Growth County shared the story of the Royal community with panelists Brad Cornelius, Beverly Steele, and Edward Gonzalez Tennant. Dr. Tennant could not be present in person and shared this recording detailing the history of African Americans in Florida and how this history connects to the community of Royal. Watch Dr. Tennant's presentation here.

Traditional Jewish communities are developing rapidly. What does this dimension of diversity ask of planners where this expansion is taking place? What are the needs of religiously observant Jewish residential and commercial districts? Drawing especially from New Urbanism, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Unger, a Rabbi who has worked in the urban economic development space for over a decade, will explore this fast-growing aspect of housing and commercial growth while also acknowledging historic Jewish approaches to planning. Watch the webinar here.

Panelists share their experiences and thoughts on the role of community organizing, urban planning, and engagement in the preservation of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, particularly in the face of displacement and other impacts of gentrification. One primary focus will be the #OurNeighborhoods initiative led by National CAPACD and partner organizations, as well as the professional experiences of the panelists in the field of urban planning and community development. A Q&A will follow the panel to allow participants to engage the speakers about preservation in their own communities. Watch the webinar here. 

APA Florida Planning Conference 2021 session. Racism is not a virus of the body; it is a virus of the mind, and unfortunately, it can be lethal. This session is a safe place to have the uncomfortable conversations about race that many people have never been able to have, and remove the barriers for why we’ve never had these conversations. The cure for what ails us – all of us — lies in getting comfortable with the uncomfortable and having these uncomfortable conversations. Watch the session here. 

 Theodore (Ted) Jojola, PhD, is a Distinguished Professor and Regents’ Professor in the Community & Regional Planning Program, School of Architecture + Planning, University of New Mexico (UNM). Watch our discussion on Indigenous Planning and PlaceKnowing: Shifting the Conversation here. 

APA Florida's EDI committee presents this interview with Susan P. Ajoc, AICP, FCP, Community Services Director for the City of St. Petersburg and her sister, Stephanie A. Thoburn, AICP, Asst. Director of Planning and Zoning for the Town of Jupiter. They will discuss their experiences with equity, diversity and inclusion in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Watch the video here. 

This virtual event will bring together experts to discuss autonomous vehicles and their impact on the aging population and persons with disabilities. Each panelist brings a unique perspective on this subject. Participants will listen to personal experiences, learn how they can implement AV infrastructure system wide, and engage with new AV technologies already being used. Watch the webinar here. 

The APA Florida Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee works to address the needs of Florida’s diverse planners and communities and to promote equity and inclusion in planning practice. Please join the EDI Committee and your peers at an interactive forum to provide your feedback on the Chapter EDI Strategy, learn about the EDI Committee’s activities, and network with your peers. Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences and recommendations to promote equity, diversity, and inclusivity in planning careers, workplaces, and practice in Florida. All are welcome. Watch the webinar here. 

APA Florida Planning Conference 2021 session. Akisa Omulepu speaks about how diversity and the experiences of people play a profound role in our collective experience, and how we can better embrace this diversity in our profession and daily lives. She will also be presenting a documentary on planning issues in South Florida. Watch the session here. 

APA Florida Planning Conference 2021 session. As our workplaces and communities are coming to a deeper awareness of various forms of interpersonal and institutionalized bias, planners struggle with how they can be part of the solution for change. Inclusive leadership is imperative to creating real change in our organizations and communities, and allyship is equally vital in helping to remove barriers that many marginalized groups confront on a daily basis. What does it mean to be inclusive? How do we understand other points of view? As planners we should strive to be mindful and aware of the needs of all of our communities. Watch the session here. 

APA Florida Planning Conference 2020 session on equity planning and public engagement. Watch the session recording here. 

APA Florida Planning Conference 2020 session that provides tools for planners to guide conversations in constructive ways, provide strategies for avoiding pitfalls, and showcase activities that can help people understand their own and others' life experiences. Watch the session recording here. 

The intent of this panel is to explore organizational roles and responsibilities to engage and sustain inclusive dialogue and open discussion with black professionals about their experiences and practices. Watch the video here. 

Episode 1 of the Planner to Leader Series developed by the APA Florida Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee explores the career paths of diverse planners who now hold leadership positions in various organizations throughout the state of Florida. Watch the webinar here. 

“Female Pow-HER in Planning” is a forum/panel to discuss women’s place now and previously in history in addition to the burden of labor on women, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on women. It is important to consider all people and their needs when designing spaces and communities. PEOPLE, PLACE, PROSPERITY will be the themes of focus for the event as well as solutions and how can we help and support EVERYONE, no matter their gender, to be their best. Watch the webinar here. 

A part of the Sun Coast Section of APA FL’s ongoing Women in Planning webinar series; this session will explore working and delivering high-quality planning services in remote or hybrid teams and what that means for our professional lives. This session will cover career development-related topics of work-life balance, management of remote personnel, and project management of teams that may include remote members. Watch the video here. 

On Oct. 14, the committee is hosted a webinar, Mi Barrio - A Planner Story, a discussion with Hispanic/Latinx planners about their personal and workplace experiences, the importance of their heritage, and the unique viewpoints and insights that they bring to the table in the planning world. Watch the webinar here. 

In commemoration of the Hispanic Heritage Month, the Florida APA Florida EDI Committee is spotlighting Hispanic Planners. Hear their stories, successes and challenges within the planning community. This week’s planner spotlight is Luis Nieves-Ruiz. Watch the video here. 

In commemoration of the Hispanic Heritage Month, the Florida APA Florida EDI Committee is spotlighting Hispanic Planners. Hear their stories, successes and challenges within the planning community. This week’s planner spotlight is Abismael Abreu. Watch the video here. 

In commemoration of the Hispanic Heritage Month the Florida APA Florida EDI Committee is spotlighting Hispanic Planners. Hear their stories, successes and challenges within the planning community. This week’s planner spotlight is Silvia Vargas. Watch the video here. 

In commemoration of the Hispanic Heritage Month the Florida APA Florida EDI Committee is spotlighting Hispanic Planners. Hear their stories, successes and challenges within the planning community. This week’s planner spotlight is Jennifer Rangel. Watch the video here. 

APA Florida Planning Conference 2021 session. Learn how moratoriums and litigation have influenced the development of planning policy in two communities facing tremendous growth pressure in Hillsborough County. Using these real world examples, this session will showcase how the legal process can have a real impact on planning decisions. Located at the edge of Hillsborough's Urban Service Area, the planning for these areas was not only a classic stand off between rural preservation and development interests, but also saw challenges in equity, infrastructure, transfer of development rights, and outreach during Covid-19- all while navigating litigation and moratorium requirements. Watch the session here.