We Are On Hiatus In 2020

The Untokening is a multiracial collective that centers the lived experiences of marginalized communities to address mobility justice and equity. Since 2016, we have hosted a national convening that creates space to focus on the personal and interpersonal work it takes to be Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in mobility advocacy, planning, and policy spaces. While this is a national gathering, we center and elevate the expertise of mobility leaders and the challenges and issues within the local host community. 

>> Learn about the reflection process we are undertaking here

Untokening Durham (2019)

The Untokening 2019 was held in Durham, NC on October 5 and 6. Click here for details on workshops and registration.

Untokening Detroit (2018)

In November 2018, Untokening Detroit showcased the struggles and successes in mobility advocacy, implementation, and engagement in Detroit and other Rust Belt cities. With a strong focus on transit justice and disability rights, the day-long event created space to focus on the personal and interpersonal work it takes to be Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in mobility advocacy, planning, and policy spaces. More than 100 advocates and community leaders from more than 20 cities — including St Louis, Pittsburg, Durham, Milwaukee and Cincinnati — came together for network building, storytelling and discussion. Break out sessions included: Untokening New Mobility; Revolutionary Access: Disability Inclusion as More Than an Afterthought; Conscientious Policy, Planning, & Progress; Building the “Movement” Movement; and more!

Click here to see photos!

Thank you to Lynda Lopez for reporting on the Untokening for Streetsblog Chicago:

• Untokening Panelists Discuss Why “You Can’t Have Social Justice Without Transit Justice”

• Untokening Detroit Showed Why Mobility Justice Advocates Need to Think Intersectionally

Thank you to the incredible local organizing committee — most notably co-organizers Heather Hugen and Lex Draper — and our sponsors who made the event, as well as scholarships and travel stipends, possible: People for Bikes, Transit Center, Dero, QBP, Alta Planning + Design, Sam Schwartz Transportation Consultants, Gehl Institute, Detroit Disability Power, Motor City Freedom Riders, and Wayne Rides. And so much gratitude to all the attendees for your energy and insight. Please let us know if you have any additional thoughts or feedback by emailing mobilityequity@gmail.com. 

Untokening California (2017)

On November 4, 2017, 110 activists and community leaders — more than 75% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) — came together for Untokening California in Los Angeles. Our day-long event created space to focus on the personal and interpersonal work it takes to be BIPOC in mobility advocacy, planning, and policy spaces. Participants shared experiences of tokenism, sharpened decolonizing tools to grow beyond it, and identified actions to help guide the mobility system toward equity. While the stories and speakers focused on California, attendees traveled from cities across the nation, including Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati and Minneapolis.

Check out photos from Michael Anaya and Areli Morales below. 

Read recaps from Sahra Sulaiman on Streetsblog LA and Lynda Lopez on Streetsblog Chicago

Thank you to our sponsors California Bicycle Coalition, California Walks, and Dero. Thank you to the steering committee, local organizers, speakers and facilitators, who shared their time and knowledge. And most of all, THANK YOU to all attendees for your energy and insight. Please let us know if you have any additional thoughts or feedback by emailing mobilityequity@gmail.com. 

In an effort to lift up social justice values, we intentionally worked with many local, grassroots, politicized, BIPOC and women folks in the LA area. From the venues, catering, photographer, DJ, supporting organizations, sound, etc, we searched high and low to ensure that the money was spent in community and with folks that have shared values. We are grateful to each one of them. 

Untokening Atlanta (2016)

With more than 130 participants from across the country, the Untokening included candid discussions about street safety, displacement/gentrification, community engagement and culture, which will be collectively edited and distilled into position statements to be shared in early 2017. Conversations also included identifying the "elephants in the room" in mainstream mobility advocacy settings. Stay tuned for more outputs in coming months!

The Untokening included multiple events, including a full-day convening, a discussion on "Race, Place & Justice" and a social ride with Civil Bikes. Photos below by Argenis Apolinario.

Read recaps and stories about Untokening Atlanta

The USA Streetsies: Looking Back at the Best and Worst of 2016, Streetsblog USA, Angie Schmitt, 12/30/16

Black Leaders Discuss Their Efforts to Promote Equity in Mobility Advocacy, Streetsblog Chicago, Jean Khut, 12/1/16

Transportation Advocates of Every Color Just Met at "The Untokening," Better Bike Share,  Stefani Cox, 11/18/16

Putting Community at the Center of Mobility Equity, Next City, Adonia Lugo, Naomi Doerner, Carolyn Szczepanski, 11/3/16

Justice-Oriented Mobility Advocates to “Untokenize” Active Transportation Movement at November Convening, Streetsblog LA, Sahra Sulaiman, 9/20/16