The architecture, engineering and construction industry is severely lagging behind in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Black workers represent 13% of the industry’s workforce but only hold 7% of its jobs. Meanwhile, white workers comprise 77% of the workforce and hold over 80% of all AEC jobs.

AEC Unites, a nonprofit membership organization, was founded in 2023 to advance DEI in the industry. The organization seeks to be a resource for Black talent to identify career paths and leadership opportunities and to create sustainable opportunities for Black-owned businesses to grow and thrive.

In this episode, Michelle Calcote King invites AEC Unites Executive Director Tia Perry to discuss the organization’s mission and ongoing initiatives to help workers and businesses and reflect on the challenges AEC firms face in closing diversity gaps.

(Editor’s note: This interview was recorded in November 2023 and published in 2024. When Michelle and Tia say “this year” and “next year,” they’re referring to 2023 and 2024, respectively.)

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn

Who Tia Perry is
About AEC Unites and the organization’s mission
AEC Unites’ ongoing initiatives, including for Black talent, Black-owned businesses and student populations
DEI issues that are prominent in the AEC industry
What resources exist for workers and businesses
How diversity gaps can impact a company’s safety culture
How to improve hiring, advancement and retention practices
Impacts of unconscious bias on hiring and promotion practices, including during succession planning

About our featured guest

A diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) leader with over 17 years of association experience, Tia Perry is tasked with bringing the vision for AEC Unites to life by driving equity and inclusion for Black talent and Black-owned businesses in the architecture, engineering and construction community.

Tia led DEI initiatives as a director at Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), providing consultative support and leadership to ABC chapters and member companies. Perry began her association career in 2015 with the Transportation Intermediaries Association.

Tia is an enthusiastic mentor, volunteer and training partner in skilled trades education with the D.C. Construction Trades Foundation and is a youth basketball coach. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Old Dominion University and recently completed the diversity, equity and inclusion certificate program at the University of South Florida. Perry is also a certified unconscious bias trainer through FranklinCovey.

Sponsor for this episode

This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a public relations and content marketing agency that serves professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services and more.

To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.

The Influence of Education and Learning on Leadership and Performance with Captain Gabe Angemi, Camden NJ FD