Distinguished Leadership in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Awarded
NewTown Macon and Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority Recognized for the Macon Action Plan
On Wednesday, June 11, District 5 Director Gregory Brown presented the 2024 Georgia Planning Association Awards for Distinguished Leadership in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion during the GPA Board Retreat. GPA customarily presents the annual awards at its Fall Conference. However, in 2024, the Fall Conference was cancelled due to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene on Augusta, Georgia.
In 2024, the GPA Awards Committee reciprocated evaluation with the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association to review each other’s awards nominees. GPA received 31 nominations across seven (7) different categories. In addition to Macon, five additional communities or planning programs were recognized in 2024.
The Distinguished Leadership in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion award is given in recognition of an individual, specific planning tool, practice, program, project, or process that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. The award is given to efforts that demonstrate a sustained commitment to advocacy by addressing the concerns of women, minorities, and underrepresented groups through specific actions or contributions within the planning profession or through planning practice.