Enhancing the Role of Government, Non-Profits, Universities, and Resident Associations as Valuable Community Resources to Advance Equity, Access, Diversity and Inclusion

Dear Colleagues,

There is growing interest to enhance the role of government, non-profits, universities, and resident associations as valuable community resources to advance equity, access, diversity and inclusion in an effort to create more just cities.

While previous research and case studies have sought to understand how government, non-profits, and universities, can advance equity—more needs to be understood about how to better include, engage, and represent populations that historically have been left out of the decision-making process. This Special Issue will focus on challenges faced by local actors and innovative methods/solutions explored that support how to better engage and represent residents, neighborhood associations, and individuals in marginalized communities. Of particular interest are topics addressing the problems of segregation, gentrification, housing affordability, transportation access, education inequality, environmental justice, and political representation.

By improving the understanding of practitioners to the differences that exist between the variegated populations (e.g. older adults, young people, low-income individuals, immigrants, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, to mention a few) this Special Issue has a tremendous amount of potential to examine and address issues of racism, marginalization, and discrimination. In addition to understanding underlying issues that reproduce systemic injustice and inequality in low-income but otherwise resourceful communities, this Special Issue also seeks to discover and mobilize community assets as well as provide innovative tools for those seeking to engage with the growing racial diversity of cities.

For inquiries, please contact: Dr. Ivis García (ivis.garcia@utah.edu)
or Dr. April Jackson (ajackson5@fsu.edu)

Dr. Ivis García
Dr. April Jackson
Guest Editors

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