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When I turn on the television to watch my go-to channel for local news, I often look forward to a segment, called “Cool Kids,” which profiles children and youth around Southern California who are making a difference in their communities. From the 13-year-old who started a nonprofit for providing care packages to the homeless, to the high school senior with a visual impairment who created Braille menus for local restaurants, to the 17-year-old philanthropist who inspired her fellow students and community members to donate money in order to bring clean water to people around the world — these kids embody equitable values. As park and recreation professionals, you have the power to inspire, encourage and teach your youngest community members about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) through programming and active dialogue.

So, what better way to kick off our Equity issue than highlighting inspiring stories about DEI? In the cover story, “Creating an Inclusive Environment While You Wait,” NRPA Vice President of Education and Chief Equity Officer Autumn Saxton-Ross interviews Jessica Desens, a park and recreation professional, and her child, Robin Rowe, a dance instructor, about the major challenges for non-binary and trans inclusion in dance and parks and recreation, as well as the role of visibility in creating inclusive spaces. When it comes to making sure park and recreation programs are more inclusive, Rowe says, “Frontline staff set the tone, environment and expectations of the center. They are the first staff most community members interact with, and should maintain a welcoming environment, treating all participants and families as equals.”

In 2021, Indianapolis Parks and Recreation (Indy Parks) reaffirmed its commitment to DEI by re-evaluating its programs, services and amenities to make sure they were inclusive and accessible to all. In the feature article, “Indy Parks’ Road to Racial Equity,” contributors Kimberly Campbell, Kavita Mahoney and Ronnetta Spalding discuss their park and recreation agency forming a DEI Committee, developing a diverse and equitable workforce, and embarking on a DEI journey. As they put it: “DEI will always be an important facet of our organization and must be integrated into everything we do.”

Lastly, NRPA’s Shalini Mirpuri looks back at our own two-year DEI journey and how NRPA is preparing for the future in the feature article, “NRPA’s Equity in Practice Initiative.” “Equity requires practice, patience and a commitment to progress,” she writes.

It’s amazing to learn about all the great DEI work across the field. And, by creating the framework for our communities and being positive role models for our youngest park and recreation patrons, we are teaching kids to be tomorrow’s equity leaders. That’s pretty cool.

Vitisia Paynich is Executive Editor and Director of Print and Online Content at NRPA.