Best American Public Transportation Association Podcasts (2025)

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Work with Joy: Norma Sánchez in leading with punk resistance, care and cultural joy for queer communities in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. 42:46

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1d ago42:46

42:46

Stephanie Esteban (She/They) chats with Norma Sánchez (They/Them/Elle) about their relationship-building powers to connect the LGBTQ+ community with educational programs and social services in the Boyle Heights neighborhood in Los Angeles. Norma Sánchez’s Bio: Norma Sánchez (They/Them/Elle) is a nonbinary queer punk community advocate for the LGBTQ…

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Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning: Wes Marshall and Trung Vo, AICP 37:18

27d ago37:18

37:18

Episode sponsor: Eastern Washington University Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/critical-conversations-in-transportation-planning-wes-marshall-and-trung-vo-aicp/ In this episode, co-hosts Divya Gandhi and Em Hall were excited to take the podcast show on the road, recording episodes at the 2025 National Planning Conference in Denver. This d…

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Katelynn Morgenstern, AICP, on Planning, Social Media, and Finding Your Voice as an Introvert 21:16

1M ago21:16

21:16

What does being an introvert in a profession centered on community and collaboration mean? For Katelynn Morgenstern, AICP, Director of Planning and Zoning in Kennett Township, Pennsylvania, navigating networking and building a brand used to feel daunting—until she discovered the power of social media to build authentic connections, explore planning…

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Season 5, Episode 5: Celebrating National Apprenticeship Day with MTA NYC Transit 42:30

1M ago42:30

42:30

In honor of National Apprenticeship Day, APTA is spotlighting the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Elevators & Escalators Apprenticeship Program at New York City Transit (NYCT). With a dedicated team of 400 employees maintaining over 600 pieces of equipment, MTA’s program is an outstanding example of how to grow and sustain a skilled w…

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The Role of Planners in Space Exploration with Justin Hollander, FAICP 16:54

2M ago16:54

16:54

In this episode of the Trend Talk series, a companion podcast for APA's 2025 Trend Report for Planners, Joe DeAngelis, AICP, research manager at the American Planning Association, chats with author and urban planning professor Justin Hollander, FAICP. Listen as they examine the potential for human settlements on the Moon and Mars, and discover the …

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Season 5, Episode 4: A Next Gen Recruitment Strategy That Works: HNTB’s Internship Program 53:48

2M ago53:48

53:48

APTA is celebrating National Internship Awareness Month by featuring HNTB’s successful program. If you are ready to learn more about a strategic approach to organically recruit the next generation of talent, while engaging your staff in fulfilling work, tune into this episode of APTA’s official podcast, The Transit Authority! HNTB interns are assig…

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Planning for Wellness and Personal Resilience with Dr. Mary Beth Janke 24:59

3M ago24:59

24:59

In this special NPC25 episode of the APA podcast, APA President Sue Schwartz, FAICP, interviews keynote speaker Dr. Mary Beth Janke about her experiences and insights on advancing wellness and building resilience. Dr. Mary Beth, who has over 30 years of experience in psychology, security, and investigative work, shares her thoughts on setting and a…

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The Future of Transportation Planning with Beneeta Mary Jose 21:13

3M ago21:13

21:13

In this episode of the Trend Talk series, a companion podcast for APA's 2025 Trend Report for Planners, Joe DeAngelis, AICP, research manager at the American Planning Association, chats with recent graduate and current transportation planner, Beneeta Mary Jose. The two explore the latest trends in micromobility, electrification, and the essential b…

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Empowering Youth and the Urban Planning Pipeline with Annette Koh and David Salazar, FAICP 47:37

3M ago47:37

47:37

In this episode of the APA podcast, host Dina Walters is joined by David Salazar, FAICP, and Annette Koh to discuss an initiative in Long Beach, California, that is looking to pave the way for future urban planners. Through engaging youth in high schools and teen centers, the program introduces students to the world of urban planning, providing the…

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Building Community and Purpose: Leah Rothstein on Just Action 27:30

3M ago27:30

27:30

In this special NPC25 episode of the APA podcast, host Michael Brown, AICP, conference committee chair for NPC25, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Leah Rothstein. Leah is co-author along with her father, Richard Rothstein, on the book Just Action, and has specialized in community development and affordable housing policy, practice, …

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Tom Pace on Zoning Reform and Housing Innovation in Sacramento 27:29

3M ago27:29

27:29

Sacramento, California, is at the forefront of zoning reform, tackling some of the biggest challenges in housing supply and affordability. Tom Pace, the city’s director of community development, shares how the city has embraced policies to remove barriers to housing production, modernize outdated regulations, and promote sustainable growth. And, he…

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Dr. Christine Marin on labor organizing, supporting the next generation and having "ganas!" 1:01:17

3M ago1:01:17

1:01:17

Special episode! Live recording at the 2024 Latinos and Planning LUGARES Conference. Keyanna Ortiz-Cedeño and Matt Gomez chat with Dr. Christine Marin, Professor Emeritus and Archivist-Historian at Arizona State University, about growing up in a copper mining town and the influence this had on her relationship with labor and union organizing. Dr. M…

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Ayllu and Ayni: Kat Sibel’s interconnected world of creation on beauty and service through collective, balance and coexistence values in public health and environmental science 1:08:51

4M ago1:08:51

1:08:51

Keyanna Ortiz-Cedeño chats with Kat Sibel on Indigenous People’s Day about her life’s journey of twists and turns reflecting on her Peruvian ancestral roots and how Andean and Quechua knowledge and values informed her work and research looking at both sides of public health and environmental science. Kat Sibel (she/her/ella) is a passionate, bi-cul…

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Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning: CNT's Nina Idemudia, AICP and Jacky Grimshaw 33:44

4M ago33:44

33:44

In this episode of Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning, hosts Divya Gandhi and Em Hall interview Jacky Grimshaw and Nina Idemudia, AICP, from the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) in Chicago. They discuss the evolution of transportation planning, the importance of community engagement, and the emergence of millennial leadership…

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Children's Boards and Play as Tools for Transforming Museums and Cultural Institutions with Jose Antonio Gordillo Martorell 1:07:16

4M ago1:07:16

1:07:16

Keyanna Ortiz-Cedeño speaks with Jose Antonio Gordillo Martorell- tuning in from Sweden, about democratizing decision making for museums and other cultural institutions to elevate children's pespectives. Dive in and learn how re-priotitizing play, "dancing with the system" and expanding our idea of public participation to include children of all ba…

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The Future of Public Sector Planning with APA President Sue Schwartz, FAICP 23:55

4M ago23:55

23:55

In this episode of the Trend Talk series, a companion podcast for APA's 2025 Trend Report for Planners, Joe DeAngelis, AICP, Research Manager at the American Planning Association, chats with APA President, Sue Schwartz, FAICP. The two discuss the evolving landscape of public sector planning and delve into current hiring challenges, the impact of po…

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Season 5, Episode 3: CEOs Share The Business Case For Mentor Programs 52:01

4M ago52:01

52:01

In this episode of APTA’s National Mentoring Month podcast series, we are featuring four CEOs who will tap you into the business case for mentoring. This episode of The Transit Authority shares why CEOs invest in mentorship as an effective strategy to build a culture of organizational excellence and develop employees. To learn more about mentorship…

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Season 5, Episode 2: Mentors Open Doors Part II 33:38

4M ago33:38

33:38

During National Mentoring Month we are sharing more about how mentors encourage mentees to develop leadership competencies and build upon their current strengths to flourish in their career and in life. APTA’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) provides public transportation professionals with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed for advancement.…

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Season 5, Episode 1: Mentors Open Doors 56:02

5M ago56:02

56:02

APTA’s National Mentoring Month podcast series features leaders, mentors, and mentees across the nation and in Canada. This episode’s podcast guests all agree that mentors help to open doors and assist mentees in navigating the changing expectations and skills required to succeed in the industry. Organizations can retain staff by investing in workf…

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International Planning: Brazil- Ursula Troncoso on Including Young Children in Participatory Planning and Urban Design 50:46

5M ago50:46

50:46

Keyanna Ortiz-Cedeño speaks with Ursula Troncoso- tuning in from São Paulo, Brazil- about her path into architecture and planning and her insights into meaningfully engaging young children in community engagement and urban design projects. Ursula Troncoso leads Ateliê Navio, an architecture and urbanism office focused on cities, childhood, and educ…

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Nico Larco and Kaarin Knudson on Demystifying Sustainable Urban Design 21:04

6M ago21:04

21:04

Planners have a difficult job. In addition to being experts on their own technical field of planning, they must also understand a variety of other disciplines — like architecture, landscape and ecology to name just a few. These fields are complex in their own right, and planners must consider and translate these concepts for laypeople and elected o…

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Housing Supply Accelerator: An Interview with Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO Robert Broeksmit 29:44

6M ago29:44

29:44

In this episode of the Housing Supply Accelerator series, Emily Pasi, Director of Public Affairs at the American Planning Association, chats with Robert Broeksmit, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association. The two discuss why MBA joined the Housing Supply Accelerator; how the economics of the housing crisis impacts the real estate fina…

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Mallorcas and Mitigation: Paul Fericelli on Creating Multidisciplinary Climate Policies and Cultural Responsive Disaster Recovery Initiatives 45:11

6M ago45:11

45:11

Keyanna Ortiz-Cedeño chats with Paul Fericelli about his work in disaster recovery and climate resilience at federal agencies like FEMA and the EPA, growing up in Puerto Rico, and the role mentorship has played in their professional journey. Paul Fericelli's Bio and Links: Paul Fericelli is an Environmental Engineer with the federal government. Wit…

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Puentes: Bridging Healing and Revitalization in Latine Neighborhoods 44:17

7M ago44:17

44:17

In this episode we'll hear from Vidal Marquez, Edna Ely-Ledesma and Adrian Diaz about their successful mobile workshop at this year's national planning conference which took place back in may in Minneapolis Minnesota. The workshop, Puentes: Bridging Healing and Revitalization in Latine neighborhoods, took participants to the East Lake Street Corrid…

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Dr. Danielle Zoe Rivera on rural communities, climate-induced disasters and policy change 1:07:20

7M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

Keyanna Ortiz-Cedeno chats with Danielle Zoe Rivera, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at the University of California Berkeley. Rivera's research examines policy and design for environmental and climate justice. Her work uses community-based research methods to address the impacts of climate-induced disasters…

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American Farmland Trust's Julia Freedgood on Planning Sustainable Food Systems for All People 22:13

8M ago22:13

22:13

In this episode of People Behind the Plans, Julia Freedgood, author of Planning Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems, talks about the complex and fragile web behind the food we eat, and the important role planning plays, especially in rural areas. Freedgood, a senior fellow and senior program advisor at the American Farmland Trust, digs into rura…

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Season 4, Episode 7: Transforming Public Transit: Delivering for Today, Setting a Vision for the Future 18:00

8M ago18:00

18:00

In providing multimodal services throughout America's most densely-populated state, NJ TRANSIT has made it a mission to address vital economic, social, and environmental goals through the public transportation it operates. In this episode of APTA's THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY podcast, NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin Corbett offers insight into evolving …

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Housing Supply Accelerator: An Interview With National Association of Realtors President Kevin Sears 15:34

8M ago15:34

15:34

In this third episode of the series, Emily Pasi, Director of Public Affairs at the American Planning Association, chats with Kevin Sears, President of the National Association of Realtors. The two discuss how real estate professionals have been specifically impacted by the housing crisis, what barriers and opportunities exist for growing the nation…

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The Burlington Model: How Planning-Led Reforms Transformed the City's Housing Market 58:48

9M ago58:48

58:48

In this episode of the APA Podcast, Jason Jordan, APA's Principal of Public Affairs, chats with Burlington, Vermont's former mayor, Miro Weinberger, and former planning director, Meagan Tuttle, AICP. In this discussion, they share how they worked together to provide the political leadership and the critical insights needed for Burlington to enact o…

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Season 4, Episode 6: Show Me The Money: Workforce Funding Resources 59:26

10M ago59:26

59:26

Join our guests to Learn about workforce funding opportunities. Experts from the U.S. Department of Transportation share how to obtain funding for workforce initiatives. Speakers: Mark Patterson, Associate Administrator for Research, Data, and Innovation, Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation John Bodnar, Director, Offi…

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Improvise, Innovate and Involve: 3 Planners Reveal the Importance of Flipping Your Perspective 23:16

10M ago23:16

23:16

Welcome to the third episode of Short Takes, a three-part miniseries from the American Planning Association. Short Takes, hosted by Sophia Burns, brings listeners into the field with planners pursuing inventive new approaches to everyday issues: community engagement, land use and zoning, and career advancement. In this episode, we share how three p…

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International projects and data dashboards for collaborative learning with Julio Carrillo 36:51

10M ago36:51

36:51

Julio shares his experience growing up near La Oroya, one of the most polluted cities in Peru, and going on to study architecture to pursue his interest in large scale solutions that impact people's every day lives. He shares his experience spearheading the Green Building Council in Peru as the only LEED AP in the country and his most recent projec…

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Aspire, Advocate, and Advance: 2 Planners Talk Frankly About Career Challenges and Moving Up 18:00

11M ago18:00

18:00

Welcome to the second episode of Short Takes, a three-part miniseries from the American Planning Association. Short Takes, hosted by Sophia Burns, brings listeners into the field with planners pursuing inventive new approaches to everyday issues: community engagement, land use and zoning, and career advancement. In this episode, we dive into the jo…

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Creativity, Compensation, and Culture: 3 Planners Share Community Engagement Innovations 19:22

12M ago19:22

19:22

Welcome to the first episode of Short Takes, a three-part miniseries from the American Planning Association. Short Takes, hosted by Sophia Burns, brings listeners into the field with planners pursuing inventive new approaches to everyday issues: community engagement, land use and zoning, and career advancement. This episode retraces three planners’…

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Housing Supply Accelerator: An Interview with National Association of Home Builders Chairman Carl Harris 16:33

12M ago16:33

16:33

In this second episode of the series, Emily Pasi, Director of Public Affairs at the American Planning Association, chats with Carl Harris, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. The two discuss the NAHB's role as a core partner in the Housing Supply Accelerator, as well as what some of the barriers home builders face to building mor…

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Housing Supply Accelerator: An Interview with National League of Cities CEO Clarence Anthony 34:49

1y ago34:49

34:49

In this first episode in a new series, Emily Pasi, director of public affairs at the American Planning Association chats with Clarence Anthony, CEO of the National League of Cities (NLC). Clarence and NLC are partners alongside APA on the Housing Supply Accelerator. The Housing Supply Accelerator is a national campaign to improve local capacity, id…

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National Zoning Atlas Founder Sara Bronin is Empowering Communities to Transform Land Use 23:00

1y ago23:00

23:00

Zoning reform has become a topic of national interest, not just among planners and local decision makers, but also in the national media and in everyday conversations. While the national housing crisis is well-documented, information on the role of local zoning rules has been harder to find — until now. The National Zoning Atlas is going state by s…

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Megan Oliver on How to Plan for Happiness in Cities 25:34

1y ago25:34

25:34

Planners can design places for many purposes: to promote commerce, to protect us from natural disasters, to uplift historical significance. As mental health and social relationships become increasingly significant, new questions rise to the top: What about planning for the way people feel? How can planners better understand how environments impact …

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Season 4, Episode 5: Women are the Future! 1:23:51

1y ago1:23:51

1:23:51

This podcast explores the transformative influence of women in executive leadership. Hear about the multifaceted ways in which female leaders are shaping the landscape of transit and fostering positive change within their organizations and communities. Host: Dawn Distler, Chief Executive Officer, METRO Regional Transit Authority Guests: Nadine Lee,…

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Transportation Advocacy in Belmont Cragin, Chicago 1:01:05

1y ago1:01:05

1:01:05

Learn about the transportation advocacy campaign led by the Northwest Center, a 501c3, community based organization (formerly known as the Northwest Side Housing Center) pushing to bring more bike lanes and bikeshare to the Belmont Cragin neighborhood of Chicago. This episode was the first podcast collaboration between Latinos and Planning and the …

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Planning Journey: Ana Cubas chats about her planning firm, growing up in El Salvador and exploring Los Angeles as a teenager 39:08

1y ago39:08

39:08

In this episode we hear from Ana Cubas, a professional with over 20 years’ experience in government, non-profit, and private sectors. Ana comes from an immigrant background, is the first in her family to graduate from college, and has devoted her life to helping others. Ana's mission is to focus on working with companies that spur job and economic …

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Planning Journey: Claudia Monterrosa, HUD's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs 55:21

1+ y ago55:21

55:21

This episode was recorded during last November's LUGARES conference -- LAP's annual virtual conference where the theme was Caminando P'alante. As Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs, Claudia Monterrosa oversees affordable housing and community development programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the HOME I…

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Season 4, Episode 4: A Conversation with Transportation Planner and Author Christof Spieler on Factors that Lead to Effective Public Transportation 52:58

1+ y ago52:58

52:58

APTA interviews Christof Spieler on his book “Trains / Buses / People: An Opinionated Atlas of US and Canadian Transit – Second Edition.” The discussion goes into depth on the attributes of good public transportation, taking a close look at systems across North America. Factors such as frequency, reliability, access, and legibility are considered, …

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Season 4, Episode 3: Mentoring: A Tool For Employee Engagement & Retention – Part II (GCRTA) 28:07

1+ y ago28:07

28:07

The Transit Authority is proud to present part-two of series with tools to help you retain and engage staff. In this episode you’ll hear from Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority General Manager and CEO, India Birdsong-Terry and her team about their peer-to-peer mentoring program. Tune in to learn more about how their team partners with ATU…

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Season 4, Episode 2: Mentoring: A Tool For Employee Engagement & Retention (Part I - VTA) 30:46

1+ y ago30:46

30:46

The Transit Authority is proud to present a 2-part series with tools to help you retain and engage staff. You’ll hear from Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority COO, Derik Calhoun and Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority General Manager and CEO, India Birdsong-Terry. Tune in to learn more about how their team’s partner with ATU to bui…

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David Salazar on the importance of involving youth in urban planning 50:30

1+ y ago50:30

50:30

David Salazar speaks with us today on his experience involving youth in urban planning, working with Long Beach City College and Cal Poly Pomona to develop an associates degree in urban planning -- the first one in California, and the importance of increasing representation of Latino/a/e urban planners at the state and national level. David Salazar…

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Planning Journey: Ana Lasso shares her experience working in state government, the importance of serving your community, and navigating imposter syndrome 39:05

1+ y ago39:05

39:05

Guest: ANA M. LASSO Director, California Department of General Services Ana M. Lasso was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve as the Director of the California Department of General Services on March 19, 2021. Previously, Director Lasso served as the General Manager of Los Angeles’ Exposition Park, a position to which she was appointed by Go…

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Season 4, Episode 1: Taylor Swift and the Rebirth of Transit in 2023 24:56

1+ y ago24:56

24:56

APTA's Transit Authority is proud to present a special 2023 year-end podcast with host Paul Comfort and our friends at Transit Unplugged, with guests Paul P. Skoutelas, President & CEO of APTA, and Petra Mollet, VP of Strategic International Programs. The lively conversation focused on the year that was and what we should be looking forward to in 2…

1
Anaid Yerena and Rashad Williams on Building an Equitable Future of Planning 19:32

1+ y ago19:32

19:32

The history of planning includes racist policies and practices that have resulted in entrenched inequity and enduring systemic barriers. Understanding the complexities and impacts of those barriers is necessary to dismantling ingrained inequalities and achieving transformative change. A recent edition of the Journal of the American Planning Associa…

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Rediscovering Roots: Planner Jewell Littles Walton Uncovers Family Ties to Tulsa's Black Wall Street 36:10

1+ y ago36:10

36:10

Jewell Littles Walton is an urban planning and real estate professional with a career spanning multiple decades. She joins Dina Walters, a member of APA's Prioritize Equity team, for this special episode to share the story of uncovering her family’s connection to the early 20th century Greenwood neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Greenwood was known …