in addition to his architectural career, plato was active in several civic organizations that included the young women's christian association, the national urban league, and the national negro business league. plato was a member of phi beta sigma fraternity's epsilon beta sigma alumni chapter. he also served as vice president of the national negro builders association in 1927. in addition, plato was in demand as a speaker at the tuskegee institute, the hampton institute, and a special lecturer at howard university's school of engineering and architecture.