Forth is committed to building diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of our work.

As we work towards our mission of shaping the future of transportation, it’s important to be inclusive in listening to various perspectives, especially to those from traditionally underserved communities who are often in most need of access. It is critical to build relationships and trust with community-based organizations, seeking first to understand the community and its needs before proposing solutions.

• In 2019 we completed a case study on our experience managing the Uber Community Impact Initiative (CII) programs with the affordable housing community, Hacienda CDC in Portland, OR., and the Seattle Housing Authority in Seattle, WA.
• We helped Puget Sound Energy design a plan to deliver a multi-family carshare project in low-income communities throughout their service territory.
• We worked with Portland General Electric (PGE) to provide outreach and assistance to community-based organizations as they submitted applications for transportation electrification projects to the PGE Drive Change Fund.
• We secured funding to launch an electric carsharing program in Hood River, OR.
• We developed important collateral in ten different languages to serve a diverse community with access to critical information on transportation electrification.
• Our annual Roadmap Conference included multiple equity-focused sessions and a keynote focused on the importance of equity in transportation. We also expanded our equity scholarship program, which supports attendance by those working in traditionally underserved communities.
• Our interview panels include at least one person of color. An understanding of equity is a focus area when we interview candidates for employment.
• At Forth, 9 of 21 staff and 2 of 12 board members identify as a person of color while 10 of 20 staff and 3 of 15 board members identify as women.
• Our leadership team has participated in a “Reframing Racism” training at Portland’s Center for Equity and Inclusion.
• We include discussions centered around DEI at staff meetings and board meetings, and created an internal DEI book club to expand our conversations.

The Road Ahead: Equity is not a program, or a box to be checked - it is a set of skills and practices that we have to continuously develop. We don't believe we can be successful in advancing smart mobility unless we are also successful in advancing equity.

it’s really important to have partners like Forth who are able to get electric vehicles into the hands of people who wouldn’t be able to have them otherwise.

– Hana Creger, Environmental Equity Program Manager, Greenlining Institute.

For questions, suggestions or feedback please contact Associate Director Gina Avalos at GinaA@forthmobility.org.