The E-Mobility Equity Conference was a two-day virtual event that captivated attendees through discussions around transportation electrification and equity. Co-hosted by Forth and EVNoire, the event focused on how to best work with communities often hit first and worst by air pollution. Panelists and attendees engaged in thoughtful and provocative conversations stemming from the history behind equity and transportation to how we can ensure the best access and opportunities to careers for the BIPOC communities. The conference had a wide reach of registrants from 44 states as well as 7 international locations, from Canada to Vietnam.  

Over 400 people tuned in as the conference began with a keynote address by Dr. Robert Bullard, known as the father of environmental justice. He opened the conversation by stating that “whether we are talking about housing, food security, or just transition, transportation is embedded in them all.” By doing so, he set the tone of the critical conversations to be had throughout the conference. The program covered a range of topics, from discussing historical perspectives to building more diverse and inclusive organizations. Some of the most well-attended panels were: Developing Vehicle Rebates and Incentives that Work for Underserved Communities, How Cities are Centering Equity in Transportation Electrification Programs, Changing The Narrative: Effective Campaigns That Market to Diverse Consumers and Increasing Access Effectively to Micro-Mobility and Multi-Modal Transportation Options. You can view the program here. 

DJ Dont Loaf was an exciting addition and many audience members wrote that they danced with their dogs or stepped away from their desks to dance during his sets in between panels. In a time where we are often staring at computer screens, this turned out not only to be a necessary release but also an uplifting opportunity for many. Conference attendees came away with resources to share with others and apply to their work. Over 97% of attendees who took the post-conference survey felt that they came away with more tools and information to better include equity in their work. 

Forth is proud to have co-created a space with EVNoire where these enriching discussions could develop. More information on what Forth is doing to further equity can be found in our Equity in Practice report.