Will we ever be the same? We hope not.

Like us, you may have marched, watched and mourned as hundreds of thousands of people from across the world took to the streets over the past week. It has been a time marked by complex emotions – pain, anger, shame, hope and awe at the collective outpouring of solidarity.

The senseless murder of yet another African American in a modern U.S. city has focused the world’s attention on the long history of violence and inequality in our country. While the outcry sparked by this killing are without precedent, sadly the inciting incident is all too familiar.

ULI San Diego-Tijuana stands in solidarity with the black community and all who are taking to the public square to advocate for long-overdue reforms to end both the violent subjugation and discrimination against our friends, family, and neighbors of color. Black lives matter.

The Urban Land Institute is first and foremost an educational organization. Perhaps no lesson is more important for the real estate industry than to truly understand the reprehensible systemic racism that has been prevalent in the history of land use. Inequity is enforced through not only violent means, but just as often through financial practices, public policy, education inequity and personal prejudice.

If we are to advance the mission of our organization – to build thriving communities worldwide – we must take a hard look at our own region, city and neighborhood. ULI is a global organization, but real change starts at home.

We are sharing with our members and supporters how we are marking this moment and working to better ourselves moving forward. As we progress through the months ahead you will see:

• Educational programming and events that promote equity, diversity and inclusion in our industry.
• A broadened geographic focus that spotlights and supports underserved communities.
• Championing more equity in housing, education and job creation.
• Fostering and empowering the full breadth of our membership through mentorship and professional development and elevating new and diverse voices into positions of leadership.
• Sharing useful information and resources on issues of race and equality to assist you in asking tough questions and making real change in our community.

In addition, ULI San Diego-Tijuana will immediately begin the formation of a new working group with the express purpose of advancing equity in our region.

Above all, we will be listening and learning from our colleagues whose lived experience reflects the reality of our times. Although this is a sad moment in our history, it is also a time for action. Working together, we can affect real change.

Sincerely,

Chris Clark

District Council Director

Beth Callender

District Council Chair

Brian Mooney

Incoming District Council Chair