Engaging Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Workshop


ENGAGE 2023 PRACTICE + DESIGN CONFERENCE: INNOVATION LAB

Engaging Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Workshop, a Collaborative Presentation by NOMA Colorado, EBECC (Equity in the Built Environment – A Colorado Coalition), and AIA Colorado’s J.E.D.I. Committee.

Presented on November 16, 2023, by Adriana Medina-López-Portillo, Ph.D., CPC, ELI-MP, Trainer and Consultant, Pangea Training, Jason Pugh, AIA, NOMAC, AICP, LEED AP, Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Gensler, Mei-Ling Krabbe, IIDA, NCIDQ, WELL AP, Workplace Strategist, Stantec, Raphael Chavez, AIA, NCARB, LEED GA, Project Architect, HDR, and Patricia Joseph Gill, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, NOMA President, The Abo Group  at ENGAGE 2023 Practice + Design Conference.

This breakout session focused on five topics lead by 5 BIPOC facilitators in a small group setting. The room was set up with chairs in a circular configuration to share individual experiences and  perspectives on each topic. The groups rotated twice during the time allotted.

Engaging J.E.D.I. Workshop | Unfound Door
Engaging J.E.D.I. Workshop | Unfound Door

Allyship: Facilitate by Mei-Ling Krabbe

Allyship is intentional, actionable commitment to speak up about bias. This discussion focused on barriers to being an ally that includes lack of awareness and empathy. In order to be a good ally one must be intentional, actionable and committed to continue allyship education.

Engaging J.E.D.I. Workshop | Unfound Door
Engaging J.E.D.I. Workshop | Unfound Door

Types of Bias: Facilitated by Jason Pugh, AIA

Bias is typically described in terms of racial, gender, age and implicit (unconscious bias) but this session explored other types of bias. Maternal bias occurs when women return from maternity leave and have to prove themselves all over again. “Prove it again” bias is when a group has to prove themselves more than others. Tightrope bias is when a group needs to be more politically savvy in order to succeed. And “tug-of-war” bias is where support or bias against a group can fuel conflict within that group.  

Engaging J.E.D.I. Workshop | Unfound Door
Engaging J.E.D.I. Workshop | Unfound Door

Inclusivity: Facilitated by Patricia Joseph Gill, AIA

In this session, the group shared times in their life when they felt included. The sharing reflected empathy, recognition, and acceptance of differences, and support, care, and compassion. The group also shared times when they felt excluded. These were times when empathy and acceptance were not present. 

Engaging J.E.D.I. Workshop | Unfound Door
Engaging J.E.D.I. Workshop | Unfound Door

Intercultural Competence: Facilitated by Adrina Madina-Lopez-Portilla

Intercultural competence is essential to creating an environment where talent from all backgrounds can thrive. A person’s experience of cultural differences both informs and constrains how the individual interacts with others. Moving beyond these person-specific constraints requires the development of intercultural competence. 

Engaging J.E.D.I. Workshop | Unfound Door
Engaging J.E.D.I. Workshop | Unfound Door

Mentorship: Facilitated by Raphael Chavez, AIA

Being a good mentor means providing guidance, encouragement, feedback, and/or skills development to a student, an emerging candidate or professional. Successful mentoring programs create a supportive culture, establishes clear structures, and ensures accountability.

In summary, the participants in this session were challenged to be more Engaged in J.E.D.I. by adopting the following pledges:

About the Author

Ron Abo, FAIA

Ron Abo is principal architect of The Abo Group, Inc.  He has been an active member of the American Institute of Architects since 1980. He chaired the Minority Architects Committee and is a past AIA Denver President and past AIA Colorado President. Currently, he a member of AIA Colorado Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusiveness (J.E.D.I.) Committee. In 2020, he became the founding President of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Colorado.  In February 2023, he was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects.

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