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

I am honored to be a recipient of an MLK Spirit Award! I am humbled to know that my actions are impactful and recognized by my colleagues. I am inspired to continue honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on North Campus and beyond.

Anna Thompson

2nd Year Master’s Student, Urban and Regional Planning

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 member of the student-led Design Justice Actions group, I work alongside my classmates and colleagues to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within our architecture and planning curricula. It is powerful to be a part of a student-led mission that challenges our College to apply DEI principles to not only how we show up and treat each other, but to the pedagogical truths we uphold.

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?

DEI work will never be out of place. As our environments become more diverse, we should always be mindful of ways to create equity and inclusion because these are not the default.