To the ACEC Community,
2020 has been a year of challenges. Some, like the coronavirus, are new. Others like the protests over the death of George Floyd have reminded us that we have work to do as a society to both listen and then act for positive change. We all have a role in forging the ‘more perfect union’ entrusted to us by the Constitution. Engineers, architects and others in our industry are in a unique position to lead, design, and create accessible and equitable built environments that strengthen our communities, and create pathways to a better life for every American.
Like many of you, the events of the past week have been unsettling on many levels to me personally and the entire ACEC team. George Floyd should be alive today. This tragedy should not have happened.
I’ve expressed some of my feelings on the matter on Twitter. I invite you to follow me @ldarrmoves if you don’t already. My point addressed the need to acknowledge and work on the problem versus feeding the flame. That’s the least we can do. We must recognize the challenges that persist around injustice and inequity. To do that we must listen to the voices around us and make sure they are heard.
Our member firms work every day to improve the world around us. Our designs connect communities, provide access to essential services and help bridge physical and digital divides. Our industry has made strides to find, hire, retain, and promote diverse talent. Besides being the right thing to do, more inclusive and welcoming workplaces inspire better ideas, spark new solutions to persistent challenges and broaden our perspectives.
As an industry association, it is our responsibility to urge our members to embody a more inclusive and diverse culture. These aren’t empty words. They are a call to action that we must recommit to actively each and every day. We are problem solvers, and this is a problem that deserves the absolute best we can bring to the table.
Sincerely,
Linda Bauer Darr, ACEC President/CEO
American Council of Engineering Companies
1015 15th Street NW, 8th Floor, Washington DC 20005-2605
P: 202.347.7474 – F: 202.898.0068
Email: [email protected]