Who is DxLA and What Are We Doing?
Diversity x Landscape Architecture (DxLA) was formed by a group of local Chapter members that want to be proactive in helping our region be more educated, aware, and accomplished in achieving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
What is DEI?
Diversity:
This is the presence of difference within a given setting. It involves celebrating differences based on gender, race, sexual orientation, sexual identity, culture, or ethnicity.
i.e: Who is invited to sit at the table?
Equity:
This is an approach that ensures everyone has access to the same opportunities (i.e fairness). Equity recognizes that advantages and barriers exist, and that, as a result, we all don’t all start from the same place. Equity is a process that begins by acknowledging that unequal starting place and makes a commitment to correct and address the imbalance.
i.e.: Who wants to be at the table?
Inclusion:
This means “for all people.” Inclusivity is about folks with different identities feeling and/or being valued, leveraged, and welcomed within a given setting (e.g., your team, workplace, or industry).
i.e.: Who gets to speak at the table?
How to Participate
Change doesn’t come by staying in our comfort zone. It’s time for all of us to get comfortable being uncomfortable. We have a lot of work to do, not only as a profession, but as a society. And we invite you to be part of that initiative. Below are resources that you can utilize to begin taking the steps necessary to create a truly equal, fair and all-encompassing profession.
We are also evaluating our own programs as a Chapter and changing them to ensure we meet our own DEI goals internally. We want to take action and encourage others to do the same. Look for our monthly tip in the Hotsheet emails for things you can start incorporating into your firm, work and interactions; review our resource library below, and better yet, come join us at a DxLA meeting or event.