About Just Communities AP

Become a Catalyst For Change

The Just Communities Accredited Practitioner (AP) program is a comprehensive continuing education and learning platform to support urban planning, design, and development professionals; and community advocates committed to promoting regenerative and equitable development practices, including the use of the Just Communities Protocol in their work. The AP program train a new generation of leaders who are dedicated to amplifying diverse voices and perspectives.

The AP credential helps practitioners stand out as leaders in equitable and regenerative development, build critical skills in project planning, governance and performance-based implementation, and gain access to a knowledgeable and sophisticated network of professionals and change makers.

Who is Just Communities AP For?

  • Urban planners and designers
  • Urban and community developers
  • Economic development professionals
  • Public officials and policymakers
  • Sustainability and climate resiliency practitioners
  • Resident leaders and community organizers

What Participants Are Saying

  • What impresses me the most is how Just Communities will have an impact on the entire community. –  Franklin Mack, Community Organizer, Atlanta, GA
  • What an impressive team! The training was stellar. – Sheba Ross, HSK Industries, Global Practice Director, Cities and Communities, Partner, Just Communities AP
  • The course materials were very comprehensive, and the facilitators made us aware of its real life and practical uses. – Alyssa Burton Biohabitats

Just Communities is a driving force for innovative, forward-thinking solutions that put people first. Their commitment to social justice, economic fairness, and environmental sustainability is evident in their rigorous research, bold policy proposals, and tireless advocacy. By championing inclusive policies that address real-world challenges—such as healthcare access, workers’ rights, and climate resilience—they are shaping a future that works for everyone. Their dedication to evidence-based policymaking and community-driven solutions makes them an indispensable leader in the fight for a more just and equitable society.

– Courtney W. Robinson #2 , Collective Impact Forum
“ ”

Just Communities is a driving force for innovative, forward-thinking solutions that put people first. Their commitment to social justice, economic fairness, and environmental sustainability is evident in their rigorous research, bold policy proposals, and tireless advocacy. By championing inclusive policies that address real-world challenges—such as healthcare access, workers’ rights, and climate resilience—they are shaping a future that works for everyone. Their dedication to evidence-based policymaking and community-driven solutions makes them an indispensable leader in the fight for a more just and equitable society.

– Courtney W. Robinson #3 , Collective Impact Forum
“ ”

Just Communities is a driving force for innovative, forward-thinking solutions that put people first. Their commitment to social justice, economic fairness, and environmental sustainability is evident in their rigorous research, bold policy proposals, and tireless advocacy. By championing inclusive policies that address real-world challenges—such as healthcare access, workers’ rights, and climate resilience—they are shaping a future that works for everyone. Their dedication to evidence-based policymaking and community-driven solutions makes them an indispensable leader in the fight for a more just and equitable society.

– Courtney W. Robinson #4 , Collective Impact Forum

Just Communities is a driving force for innovative, forward-thinking solutions that put people first. Their commitment to social justice, economic fairness, and environmental sustainability is evident in their rigorous research, bold policy proposals, and tireless advocacy. By championing inclusive policies that address real-world challenges—such as healthcare access, workers’ rights, and climate resilience—they are shaping a future that works for everyone. Their dedication to evidence-based policymaking and community-driven solutions makes them an indispensable leader in the fight for a more just and equitable society.

– Courtney W. Robinson #5 , Collective Impact Forum
“ ”

Just Communities is a driving force for innovative, forward-thinking solutions that put people first. Their commitment to social justice, economic fairness, and environmental sustainability is evident in their rigorous research, bold policy proposals, and tireless advocacy. By championing inclusive policies that address real-world challenges—such as healthcare access, workers’ rights, and climate resilience—they are shaping a future that works for everyone. Their dedication to evidence-based policymaking and community-driven solutions makes them an indispensable leader in the fight for a more just and equitable society.

– Courtney W. Robinson #6 , Collective Impact Forum

Just Communities is a driving force for innovative, forward-thinking solutions that put people first. Their commitment to social justice, economic fairness, and environmental sustainability is evident in their rigorous research, bold policy proposals, and tireless advocacy. By championing inclusive policies that address real-world challenges—such as healthcare access, workers’ rights, and climate resilience—they are shaping a future that works for everyone. Their dedication to evidence-based policymaking and community-driven solutions makes them an indispensable leader in the fight for a more just and equitable society.

– Courtney W. Robinson #7 , Collective Impact Forum
“ ”

Just Communities is a driving force for innovative, forward-thinking solutions that put people first. Their commitment to social justice, economic fairness, and environmental sustainability is evident in their rigorous research, bold policy proposals, and tireless advocacy. By championing inclusive policies that address real-world challenges—such as healthcare access, workers’ rights, and climate resilience—they are shaping a future that works for everyone. Their dedication to evidence-based policymaking and community-driven solutions makes them an indispensable leader in the fight for a more just and equitable society.

– Courtney W. Robinson #8 , Collective Impact Forum

Just Communities is a driving force for innovative, forward-thinking solutions that put people first. Their commitment to social justice, economic fairness, and environmental sustainability is evident in their rigorous research, bold policy proposals, and tireless advocacy. By championing inclusive policies that address real-world challenges—such as healthcare access, workers’ rights, and climate resilience—they are shaping a future that works for everyone. Their dedication to evidence-based policymaking and community-driven solutions makes them an indispensable leader in the fight for a more just and equitable society.

– Courtney W. Robinson , Collective Impact Forum

Why Choose Just Communities AP

Today’s land use and development challenges have never been more complex. Economic disparities, climate vulnerability, housing shortages, and systemic inequities are converging. These are not just problems. They are opportunities for radical transformation that demand a new generation of community development professionals who can navigate multifaceted challenges with strategic precision and genuine compassion.

The Urban and Community Development Field is Diversifying.

Passing the Just Communities AP exam sets you apart as a practitioner who is dedicated to advancing racial equity and climate resiliency in all aspects of planning, design and development.

The white dominant planning, design and development field is beginning to diversify, as we work to support a broader number of voices and lived experience to guide our work.

The next generation of community and urban development demands that we improve the standard of living for millions of Black and disinvested communities of color, heal and repair our environment, and build climate resiliency into every investment.

The Funding Landscape is Shifting to Heal and Repair Disenfranchised and Disinvested Frontline Communities. 

We have an unprecedented moment to make real progress in advancing equitable and regenerative development practices. President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative requires, for the first time, that “40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.”

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is unleashing a tidal wave of federal investment to our cities to simultaneously address our crumbling physical infrastructure and growing climate emergency.

Just Communities provides a comprehensive suite of services and tools to help communities organize, plan, and implement the kind of investments that these laws are intended to make, and are solely needed to bend the arc of urban and community development towards social, racial, and ecological healing and repair.

Comprehensive Racial Equity, Climate Resiliency, and Sustainability Knowledge is Crucial. 

The Just Communities AP program provides fundamental knowledge of principles and strategies related to racial equity, climate resilience, environmental justice, community development, civic engagement, urban planning and design, sustainability, clean energy, public health, economic development, collaborative governance, collective impact, data analysis, and strategic planning.

Join the Just Communities Family of Practitioners and Advocates.  

PSE is the world’s only Black-led urban and community development standard and verification platform. As a member of Just Communities AP family, you will have access to 1)  inspiring educational opportunities to expand your knowledge and build courage;  2) relevant case studies, best practices, and resources through the Just Communities Information Exchange and, 3) a supportive community of practice of global changemakers dedicated to advancing racial equity and climate resilience.

If you’re interested in learning more about the AP program or are currently an EcoDistricts AP looking for addition information on the transition of your credential, contact us.