As we all strive to create a better future, improving diversity and inclusion across industries is a top priority. We’re holding our leaders accountable as more companies become transparent about representation and make commitments to do better. And while we have a long way to go, we’d like to highlight and acknowledge some incredible projects that are championing diversity and inclusion and making a positive impact on real estate, design and hospitality industries around the globe.
Making History (Twice)
Our own client Affirmation Tower will be the first New York City skyscraper planned and built by a team of black architects, developers, contractors and investors. Designed by David Adjaye and developed by The Peebles Corporation, the building will be a symbol of inclusion within a skyline that lacks appropriate representation. Not to mention, it’s also making history as the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
Mentors for the Next Gen
RE–SET–GO is an accessible, paid mentorship program in London on a mission to diversify architecture. Funded by Stride and led by We Made That, IF-DO and Gort Scott, the program provides Black, Asian and multi-ethnic individuals and women a space to gain experience and give their underrepresented voices an opportunity to shape the built environment.
United in Design, founded by Sophie Ashby and Alexandria Dauley, is addressing a similar problem: the lack of diversity and inclusion in the UK’s Interior Design industry. A pathway for black, Asian and ethnic minorities and the socio-economically disadvantaged, the organization partners with businesses for school outreach programs, apprenticeships, career guidance and mentorship opportunities.
Our clients Fanny and Michelle Haim have always been passionate about creating a more diverse design industry. This fall, they’re launching an apprenticeship at Fanny Haim & Associates and FH Atelier for Miami-based BIPOC high school students. The Colombian mother-daughter duo will bring these emerging designers a hands-on opportunity to exercise their creativity and gain valuable experience.
Five Year Plan
This past year, the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation pledged a $5 million five-year plan to reverse discriminatory damage and expand representation in leadership positions. The initiative includes a leadership academy to increase representation, cross-industry mentorship programs, unconscious bias training, and transparent metrics that hold the industry accountable
Advancing Diversity & Inclusivity
Mismatch is a community dedicated to advancing inclusive design by growing a global community of inclusive practitioners and educating companies. The organization aims at fostering design skills, methods, and tools that work for the full range of human diversity, offering inclusive design masterclasses, resources and tools to incorporate inclusive design into practice.
Blackspace, an organization committed to the present and future of Black people, brings together planners, architects, artists, and designers to promote dialogue and inclusion, quality over quantity, learning, listening, and ultimately, a better future.
Paving the way to rectify underrepresentation of female architects of color, architect and filmmaker Sarah Akigbogun embarked on a recording of the racial and gender diversity in architecture with her project, XXAOC – starting a crowdsourced, online database to record the work of these women. The XXAOC project aims to work with other groups who share their mission to achieve this goal and later this year will also be making a film, necessary research is completed.
Salamander Hotels & Resorts partnered with Food & Wine in August to debut The Family Reunion, an immersive experience celebrating diversity in the hospitality community. The four-day event featured culturally enriching programming highlighted by some of the industry’s top talent including Carlton McCoy, Carla Hall, Rodney Scott, Nina Compton, Padma Lakshmi, Gregory Gourdet, Mashama Bailey, Tavel Bristol-Joseph and Pierre Thiam.
Black History Month celebrates the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, history and important contributions of African Americans/Blacks in the United States. As we look to recognize the presence and contribution of the organizations that are advancing diversity and inclusivity, we must also acknowledge and prioritize the necessity of strong diversity and inclusion practices, not only this month but every day, to build a better future.
