Emily Ebersol

2nd Year Master’s Student, Architecture

A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning

Being your best DEI self: Think of a time when you were at your best at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. What happened? Who was there? Why did you feel at your best?

As a co-conspirator of the Design Justice Actions initiative for Taubman College, I’ve spent the past months collaborating with students, faculty, and professionals in the architecture and urban planning disciplines to consider what a more equitable design education and profession should look like. Throughout this process, we built upon existing systems at the college to establish a network of anti-racism work and form a unified team of dedicated individuals who advance ideologies and policies of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. I was at my best DEI self as a part of this team in moments where I had the opportunity to lead, listen, and make space with my colleagues.

Wishes for the future: How would you imagine your environment needing to be for you to feel that you don’t have to do DEI work anymore?

I don’t believe work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice will or should ever stop. My wish for the future is that we commit to anti-racist work with intention, whether that be by educating ourselves, supporting and uplifting one another, or using our platforms for good.

What does it mean to you to be a recipient of the MLK Spirit Awards?

Being a recipient of the MLK Spirit Award is an incredible honor to me and everyone who helped advance the DJA initiative. This award has energized and inspired me to continue the work both within my education at Taubman and in my everyday life.