Racial Equity Analysis Symposium (Virtual)

The Racial Equity Analysis Symposium is a jointly hosted event between Empower DC and the Community Economic & Equity Development Law Clinic at American University, Washington College of Law. The event will be a free, virtual panel discussion where WCL students, D.C. leaders in zoning and planning, and community advocates will have the opportunity to listen to experts discuss the implementation of racial equity practices in city zoning and planning. Following the panelist’s presentations, participants will have an opportunity to ask questions.  The event will be moderated by Professor Brenda V. Smith,  Parisa Nourouzi, Executive Director of Empower DC, Katelin Morey and David Sabih, CEED Student Attorneys.

This event is for anyone interested in public interest work, advocacy, policy making, and city governance. The United States has a legacy of de jure and de facto segregation in city zoning that continues to impact minority populations in urban areas. Cities across the United States have begun to combat the harmful and violent effects of segregationist policy making through inclusive zoning measures. The Racial Equity Analysis Symposium is an opportunity to learn how that work is done. 

The panel will consist of three speakers: Dr. Lance Freeman (Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor of City and Regional Planning and Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences), Marlon Brown (Racial Equity Consultants LLC), and WCL Alumna and Massachusetts State Senator Lydia Edwards. All are experts in municipal racial equity policy making.