Holding ourselves accountable: A message from AIA's Board of Directors

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/6246433-guides-for-equitable-practice","target","_new"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.architectmagazine.com\/aia-architect\/aiafeature\/why-equity-is-crucial-to-your-firms-success_o","target","_new"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/pages\/6303978-racial-equity-initiative-?utm_source=RealMagnet\u0026utm_medium=email\u0026utm_term=39063808--34db7d9c-82e6-4ba6-96d7-79a2da75a01a\u0026utm_content=AIA%20Architect--AIA%20Architect%20Test%20%2D%206%2F18%2F20\u0026utm_campaign=TEST%3A%20STAFF%20REVIEW%3A%20Edits%20due%204%3A30pm%20%5B6%2F18%5D","target","_new"]]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Since affirming AIA\u2019s commitment to contributing to\nsolutions that foster equity and justice in the built environment, the Board of\nDirectors has met regularly to identify next steps for translating our\nideals into meaningful action and progress. It\u2019s time to redouble our efforts\nto leverage our tools and resources as a membership society to advance meaningful\nchange within the profession of architecture, within AIA as an employer, and in\nsociety through member expertise and engagement in the built environment. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"To pinpoint gaps in programs, polices, and practices, we\u2019ve\nbeen in listening and action mode. Colleagues within our membership, Equity in\nthe Future of Architecture Committee, Council of Architectural Component\nExecutives, National Organization of Minority Architects, and other essential\nvoices are generously sharing their insights on what\u2019s working, what isn\u2019t, and\nwhere we go from here. And expanding this critical dialogue is the cornerstone\nof our plans going forward."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Equity, diversity, and inclusion impact every aspect of the\nprofession and every stage of an architect\u2019s career, from employment\nopportunities to salary to daily workplace culture, community engagement to\nrecognition of achievements. Learning to identify implicit and explicit biases\nis essential to progress, and we\u2019re implementing a number of initiatives to\nprovide resources to members so that they can tackle these issues head-on. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"There\u2019s no question AIA and the profession have a long way\nto go, and we\u2019re fortunate to have existing tools like the "],[0,[0],1,"Guides for Equitable\nPractice"],[0,[],0," to steer by in the short term. Developed over the last two years in\npartnership with Ren\u00e9e Cheng, FAIA, dean of the University of Washington\u2019s\nCollege of Built Environments, and her teams at the University of Minnesota and\nUniversity of Washington, the "],[0,[1],1,"guides "],[0,[],0,"include case studies and tactical advice\nto, as Ren\u00e9e Cheng says, \u201cconvert\nintentions into actions.\u201d"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Building on the Guides, AIA is developing a series of guided\ndiscussions organized around each of the Guide chapters. These discussions will\nbe led by experts in each respective field and facilitate dialogue from\nmembers, firms, and chapters. Please make no mistake: We are not resting on the\nguides alone; we are relying on the guides as a resource to inform the first\nsteps in realizing our pledge to work together to break down the barriers that\nexclude far too many. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"As they are developed, we\u2019ll share more information about\nthe guided discussions around each of the Guides for Equitable Practice topics:"]]],[3,"ul",[[[0,[],0,"Intercultural competence"]],[[0,[],0,"Workplace culture"]],[[0,[],0,"Compensation"]],[[0,[],0,"Recruitment and retention"]],[[0,[],0,"Negotiation"]],[[0,[],0,"Mentorship and partnership"]],[[0,[],0,"Advancing careers"]],[[0,[],0,"Engaging community"]],[[0,[],0,"Measuring progress"]]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"As we measure AIA\u2019s progress, our participation in the NAACP\ninaugural report card of the sustainable building sector will provide a baseline,\nand we expect it will be sobering. AIA\u2019s participation in the NAACP 2020\nDiversity \u0026 Opportunity Report Card for the Sustainable Building Sector\nwill include evaluations for staffing (composition and perceptions), programs\nand services, procurement, and governance. Slated for release in 2021, the\nreport card will create an enlightening milestone, and we appreciate the\nNAACP\u2019s guiding influence. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Moving from aspiration to action will require a\nmulti-pronged approach, and progress won\u2019t be precisely linear. Most of all,\nthe listening phase is not temporary or preliminary. As we continue to\nimplement new strategies and reforms, a focus on rapid iteration, and listening\nis the ongoing foundation for all actions as we build on these immediate steps.\n"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"For the latest updates, please visit AIA\u2019s\n"],[0,[2],1,"racial equity resource page"],[0,[],0,". "]]]]}