Tamika Butler on Antiracism, Equity, and Self-Care Through Solopreneurship

As a watershed year comes to a close, Tamika Butler, Esq.,
founder and principal of Tamika L. Butler Consulting, joins host
Courtney Kashima, AICP, on this episode of the People Behind the
Plans podcast series. The result is a stirring, uplifting, and
funny conversation on the issues facing everyone who works to
undo society’s inequities. Tamika’s practice focuses on the built
environment, equity, antiracism, diversity and inclusion,
organizational behavior, and change management. A transportation
planner, lawyer, and nonprofit executive director in previous
roles, she explains why she struck out on her own after the
pandemic started. She and Courtney discuss the positives and
negatives of working for yourself, as well as why it’s important
for urban planning firms and other agencies to collaborate with
each other.


Both planners express their hopes for equity work going forward —
that agencies and organizations understand that these endeavors
cannot be done once and forgotten about. That engagement should
be an ongoing priority rather than something done when the timing
suits the organization. That those in positions of power
recognize how easy it is to value people, and that firms become
culturally specific, not just culturally competent. Tamika also
shares her advice for planners looking to step into their power
and put their antiracism ideals into practice.