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Nina Idemudia, AICP

@aplannerwithapurpose

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The Olivia Pope of Planning. #gladiator Follow me on TikTok @aplannerwithapurpose

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New chapter alert! 🌆 Thrilled to announce I’m stepping in as the new CEO of @cntchicago. Thinking of every hurdle and high-five that got me here, and my heart’s bursting with gratitude. 💛 Let’s champion sustainability and equity together. And hey, let’s celebrate by supporting the Jacky Grimshaw Fellows Fund. An initiative close to my heart, paving the way for WOC in transportation! #CEO #CNT #Chicago #Sustainability #UrbanPlanning #Equity #BlackGirlMagic taken in aplomb creative salon by @aplannerwithapurpose

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3 years ago

“Should I get my AICP?!”

Well it’s not that simple 😅

New post on my substake. #aicp #urbanplanningnerd by @aplannerwithapurpose

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7 months ago

I resigned from my elected seat on the American Planning Association’s National Board.

I’ve never been quiet about my experience inside APA — the good, the complicated, and the parts that pushed me to fight for change. But this past year took a toll I couldn’t ignore. Staying in that leadership structure was harming my mental and emotional health, and I had to choose myself.

I was nervous to share my story.
Worried about being “blackballed.”
Worried about what people would think.
Worried about letting people down.

But if I’m rooted in my purpose, then telling the truth is the only direction that makes sense.

So I wrote it.
All of it.
In my own words, on my own terms.

It felt like a diary entry… and maybe that’s exactly what it needed to be.

My latest Substack essay is about why I walked away — and why so many Black women are doing the same. If you’ve ever had to leave a place that couldn’t hold your truth, I hope it resonates.

🖤 Read it via the link in my bio.
🖤 Let me know what you think.
🖤 And be gentle with yourselves — choosing yourself is still revolutionary. by @aplannerwithapurpose

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10 months ago

I had something to say so I wrote about it.

TLDR: If you truly want positive change in the world pick a cause you care about and invest in Black leaders. by @aplannerwithapurpose

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3 months ago

Rent Party 🎉

Investing in our values should be joyous and communal. Photo Credit: @yoliechichi taken in 79th & Dan Ryan by @aplannerwithapurpose

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4 months ago

"If we ourselves are not okay, how can we help?"

As urban planners and community leaders, we face the exact same impacts as the neighborhoods we serve. So how do we rebuild when the system itself is broken?

From rethinking affordable housing to shifting dollars back into our communities, it’s time to reimagine a future that doesn't rely on broken institutions.

Drop your thoughts below: How do we shift the power back to the people?

🎧 Listen to Next City now. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
@lucasgrindley @nextcityorg @aplannerwithapurpose

#UrbanPlanning #CommunityFirst #AffordableHousing #NextCity #PodcastLife SocialImpact ReimagineFuture by @aplannerwithapurpose

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4 months ago

Our live podcast episode is OUT NOW! Tap in to listen to 3 of Detroit’s very own discuss leadership, power, and community involvement. 🔗 in bio.

We’re so grateful to have had @tginari, CEO of @tginatural join us for this AMAZING & intimate conversation as part of @aplannerwithapurpose’s Detroit activation.

Be sure to subscribe and follow @queentonepod as well!

Track 04 | Around The Way Girl.

🎧 LISTEN & 📺 WATCH now! by @aplannerwithapurpose

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5 months ago

On Friday April 24, Queen Tone had its first LIVE podcast in Detroit!

Joined by Detroit’s very own, Aris Singleton @tginari , CEO of @tginatural, our hosts sit down for an intimate and real conversation on what it means to be a Black girl from Detroit, navigating the executive space as ambitious Black millennial women, and staying true to who you are through the evolution of being a woman today.

This conversation was brought to you by @aplannerwithapurpose’ Detroit Activation, and was produced by @daynerco.

Head over to Youtube to WATCH 📺 the full episode or LISTEN 🎧 on Apple & Spotify. Link in bio

Track 04 | Around The Way Girl taken in Detroit Historical Museum by @aplannerwithapurpose

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5 months ago

I was on Chicago Tonight. I didn’t answer the question exactly but clearly talking about transportation access was on my heart 😅 also check you CNT’s ETOD Social Calculator taken in Chicago, Illinois by @aplannerwithapurpose

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5 months ago

Our cookies took a trip this weekend to support @aplannerwithapurpose at their Detroit activation! Honored to play a tiny role in kicking off big, BIG plans! Take up space, sis! by @aplannerwithapurpose

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6 months ago

Detroit, we’re HERE. 🖤 Day 1 of the #APWAPDetroit Activation starts TODAY. We’re kicking off with financial wellness workshop and then a Housing Finance workshop. We’re closing the evening at the Detroit Historical Museum for The Banks We Deserve book talk with its Author.

Also, It’s Black Pride day, so pull out those Pan-African colors 🖤❤️💚 Link in bio to register (it’s free). #PlanningWhileBlack #APlannerwithaPurpose #Detroit BlackPlanners NPC26 by @aplannerwithapurpose

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6 months ago

The LGBTQ and Planning & Women and Divisions are proud to serve as a Platinum Sponsors for A Planner with a Purpose: Detroit Activation (April 23–26, 2026), happening alongside the APA National Planning Conference 2026!

Curated by Nina Idemudia, AICP, A Planner with a Purpose is a community-centered experience that brings together planners, civic leaders, and advocates to engage with equity, community power, and systems change—centering Black voices in planning.

In place of this year’s multi-division reception, join us for the #PlanningWhileBlack Closing Reception Party
🗓 Sunday, April 26 | 7 PM EST
📍 Parlay Detroit
🎟️ Free registration: link in bio

This closing celebration will be an evening of connection, reflection, and joy—uplifting Black voices while fostering solidarity across communities, including LGBTQ+ planners and allies.

Whether you’re in Detroit for NPC, the Activation, or both, we hope to see you there ✨ by @aplannerwithapurpose

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6 months ago