Toyin’s Thoughts on Equity and Inclusion in Transportation and Infrastructure

Toyin Ogunfolaju, Infrastructure & Social-Economic Inclusion (SEI) Lead
 

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Toyin Ogunfolaju serves as Infrastructure and Social-Economic Inclusion (SEI) Lead at Jacobs, in addition to serving as program/project manager for several infrastructure projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the U.S.
 

In a recent interview for Jacobs internal communications, Toyin was asked about the topic of equity and inclusion as related to transportation and infrastructure. She defines equity and inclusion in this context as “making sure systems are set up in a way so that everyone is working from the same baseline.” She goes on to say, “once everyone is on the same baseline (equity), inclusion is about making sure there’s a seat at the table – the decision-making table, the influence table – giving them voice and room so that different perspectives are heard.”

Toyin aims to eliminate the idea of SEI as a fad by continuously working to promote the importance of building meaningful relationships that will provide lasting benefit within communities. On the importance of considering equity and inclusion in transportation and infrastructure, Toyin indicates “social economic inclusion in the infrastructure space is not mutually exclusive with delivering infrastructure projects. You don’t build or run a transportation system in a silo. Equity and inclusion are not just a fad, a feel-good gesture or a nice-to-have. Communities and stakeholders are demanding this understanding and incorporation of their thoughts, perspectives, background and history into why we move forward the way we do in infrastructure. Eventually, there won’t be a need for a subcommittee on it – the question will be ‘why wasn’t this system equitable or inclusive before?’”

Continuing to maximize the value of SEI in our work, building lasting relationships within our communities, and reflecting on Toyin’s thoughts on SEI in infrastructure and transportation will help us to grow not only as an industry, but as people.

To access the full interview with Toyin you can head to the Jacobs website or click here.