The fourth annual Construction Inclusion Week is celebrated from October 14th to 18th this year. During the week, the primary goal is to explore avenues for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the construction industry. It also provides an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations that will contribute to the ongoing progress of our organization’s DEI journey.
Throughout the week, our team members will share their valuable insights, aligning with the daily themes outlined by the organizers.
Day 1: Commitment & Accountability
Creating a culture of inclusion and belonging requires both leadership and accountability, shared by everyone regardless of their role. Leadership is about influencing others toward a common goal, while accountability means taking responsibility for our actions. When applied to diversity, equity, and inclusion, this means each of us plays a part by modeling inclusive behaviors and holding ourselves and others accountable.
In line with this theme, we hear from Angela Phillips, Jeff Fannon, and Kevin Hanley, who offer insights on fostering respect, empowering all employees, and valuing diverse perspectives to drive inclusivity forward.
Day 2: Belonging
Education and awareness of unconscious bias are essential for building a culture of inclusion and belonging. Belonging is the feeling of being a valued member of a community, and when people experience that, they gain a stronger sense of purpose.
In line with today’s topic, we hear from Adam Caronti and Nicholas Scammacca, who provide their perspectives on fostering belonging and purpose within the workplace community.
Day 3: Supplier Diversity
Supplier diversity is a business practice that involves including businesses owned by underrepresented or underserved groups in the procurement of goods and services. A diverse supplier is typically defined as a business that is at least 51% owned and operated by individuals from these groups, such as minorities, women, LGBTQ+, veterans, or persons with disabilities. Common categories include minority-owned, woman-owned, and small-business enterprises.
Randy de la Rosa and Leo Chen share some insights on the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and beyond.
Day 4: Workplace Culture
Creating and sustaining a positive workplace culture ensures that everyone experiences an inclusive and respectful environment. A strong team culture fosters safety, boosts productivity, and delivers greater value to clients while empowering each individual to perform at their best.
Along with this theme, we hear from Ariana Marsiglia, Robert Morr, and Nicholas Watt as they share their thoughts on respect and inclusion in the workplace.
Day 5: Community Engagement
Community engagement, through volunteering and financial contributions, has long been a core value in our industry, showcasing our collective generosity. As we continue advancing diversity and inclusion, we must assess our efforts through a DEI perspective—ensuring we support diverse communities meaningfully, maintain open communication with community leaders, and leverage our industry’s resources to foster genuine social change.
To end Construction Inclusion Week, we hear Carlyle Lobo and Daviana Estrella’s thoughts about these efforts.
