Taking lessons from our past to build a better future

APA released a comprehensive inventory of EDI and racial equity work during the February 2022 APA Council meeting. The intent of the Racial Equity Audit Report (PDF, 1.84MB)opens in new window  is to better understand the association’s ongoing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives focused on dismantling institutional racism and advancing racial equity within APA, the psychology field and society. The audit also examined the racial and ethnic representation of elected and appointed leaders and APA staff. Inventory data will also be used to inform the organization’s work toward structural and institutional transformation geared towards creating sustainable change in APA and the field of psychology. The action was called for by APA’s Council of Representatives and expressed in the trio of resolutions aimed at dismantling systemic racism and advancing racial equity.

The inventory report reflects a comprehensive and robust data-gathering process informed by psychological science, subject matter experts, psychology scholars steeped in racial equity work, APA boards and committees, appointed and elected leaders, divisions and staff. 

The Racial Equity Audit Report (PDF, 1.84MB)opens in new window is a guiding tool to help APA build a path forward. It gauges staff and governance representation and documents the level of EDI and racial equity initiatives across APA. The data will help inform APA goals around expanding representation and determining priorities for the association’s work on eradicating racism and advancing racial equity.

The inventory report documents activities across the association and identifies areas to improve including: 

• Enhancing coordination. APA-wide (boards, committees, divisions, and staff) is engaged in a wide array of racial equity activities, but the work lacks coordination.
• Expanding representation. APA has an opportunity to enhance diversity and representation among staff, elected and appointed leaders, governance, and the psychology field.

Over the next six months, APA will engage members, divisions, governance, staff, and stakeholders in a collaborative process to map out ideas and opportunities, co-create a shared vision and build consensus around priorities. Specific activities include:

• surveying members' thoughts on how to set priorities,
• APA’s Role in Advancing Racial Equity Summit (Summer 2022),
• focus groups with members, appointed and elected leaders,
• CEO report to APA Council of Representatives in August with a strategic plan and measurable actions, and
• developing a roadmap of APA’s long-term commitment to eradicating racism, advancing EDI and racial equity.

The Racial Equity Audit Report is available to APA members, staff and the public.

To learn more about the EDI work APA is spearheading, see our Inclusive Language Guidelines, racism, bias, and discrimination resources and comprehensive EDI Framework.