At ULI, we are dedicated to improving the environments in which all people live, work, and play. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are the pillars of sustainable, thriving communities.  The calls for racial justice throughout the United States have strengthened our resolve and accelerated our efforts to promote DEI as a fundamental force for creating thriving communities for the future.

We readily acknowledge that past real estate and land use decisions have contributed to community divisiveness and racial inequality. We believe that current and future industry actions can remedy mistakes and foster unity. We also believe that the best way to effect change within the industry is for ULI to lead by example.

Our organization, and indeed our industry, must look more like the communities we serve. This means increasing the number of Black people and other people of color who are members of ULI as well as who are in leadership positions within the organization. It also means increasing the number of Black people and other people of color who serve on ULI’s staff.

In addition, we are strengthening our support of programs, policies and practices that increase DEI, and we are raising awareness among our members about these efforts so they can guide our progress and build momentum for program expansions.

Those interested in joining the DEI conversation at ULI are invited to join the DEI Community, an online “neighborhood” for ULI members and staff to share real-time communication about DEI efforts from the Institute and our members and member networks, and for community members to post relevant articles and resources, ask questions, and start conversations on topics of interest.

These are just some of the many ways ULI is striving to be better and do better, so that our Institute will continue to lead the real estate industry in creating the thriving, equitable communities that we, our children, and grandchildren deserve.