Paul Jones, III

2nd Year Graduate 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?

Last semester, I helped review course syllabi for opportunities to integrate more learnings about equity and injustice in the urban planning field into our courses. The space I was able to hold in these discussions helped me feel at my best doing DEI work. The sessions allowed for collaborative learning and vulnerability from faculty that I didn’t expect.

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?

A dedication to truth telling and ownership of the impact of our institution and the field of urban planning more broadly has had on the lives of marginalized communities.

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

Being a recipient of this award to me is an affirmation and a call to continue the active pursuit of the type of societal justice that was central to MLK’s beliefs.