In 2020, ULI accelerated its efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a fundamental force for creating thriving communities for the future. Continuing ULI’s tradition of thought leadership, ULI Americas launched its DEI webpage. The site has become a central location for information on DEI, as well as on all ULI Americas’ work and initiatives in the field. The page features recent DEI articles from Urban Land online and updates from ULI leadership, along with district council updates, programs, partnerships, and resources on real estate and social equity.
ULI also launched the DEI Community, an online “neighborhood” where ULI members and staff can share real-time knowledge about DEI efforts both from the Institute and from ULI members and member networks. The community is open to all members and all staff, who can opt in to participate. Community moderators, as well as members, can post relevant articles and resources, ask questions, and start conversations on how to advance the cause of social equity in the real estate industry. The Institute’s hope is that through ULI’s culture of knowledge sharing, members can intensify their efforts and understand the multifaceted issues involved with diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Along with these efforts, the Americas Executive Committee (AEC) created a subcommittee called the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. Chaired by global governing trustee Clare de Briere and co-chaired by Lisa Gordon, the mission of the DEI Council is to create increased engagement and leadership opportunities, with an immediate focus on the Black community, and promote and advance innovations and best practices that result in communities that are equitable by design. The council will assist in guiding ULI’s efforts in the DEI space as the Institute works to move the real estate industry toward a more equitable future.
The DEI Initiative is just the start of how ULI is striving to be better and do better so it can continue to lead the real estate industry in creating the thriving, equitable communities that we, our children, and grandchildren deserve.
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