Weitz Sr. DEI Associate, Shekinah Fountain, Reflects on the Importance of Inclusion & Diversity in Construction 

As Construction Inclusion Week (CIW) has wrapped up, I want to take a moment to reflect on our journey. CIW is more than just a celebration; it’s a reminder of the ongoing commitment we’ve made to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. Each day of CIW highlighted an important theme — Belonging, Commitment and Accountability, Workplace Culture, Supplier Diversity and Community Engagement— and each theme serves as a building block toward a more inclusive industry. 

At the heart of all our efforts lies one of our company’s core values: Respect for People. In construction, where projects and teams are diverse, the importance of this core value cannot be overstated. Respecting people means acknowledging that every individual brings unique experiences, backgrounds, and skills to the table. Those varying skills and perspectives make for better business. A McKinsey study reveals companies with more ethnic diversity are nearly 40% more likely to outperform the industry’s median financials; more than 78% of employees in the U.S. want inclusive companies (CNBC Survey) and closing the nation’s wealth gap can generate trillions for the US GDP. I’m proud to report that we’ve increased ethnic diversity among employees by more than 14% and we continue to expand our inclusive practices and grow supplier diversity programming. Inclusion makes both dollars and sense.  

Sustaining a culture of belonging is essential to our industry’s growth.  A strong sense of belonging is foundational to effective teamwork. This sense of psychological safety is essential in driving innovation and improving project outcomes. 

Commitment and accountability are two pillars of real, lasting change. When these two work hand in hand, they have the power to transform not only our projects but the entire industry. 

CIW addresses both company internal and external engagement. Our teams dove into the importance of working alongside small and diverse businesses to ensure the industry continues to have a wealth of knowledge and perspectives to grow. The week wrapped up discussing the importance of community engagement and how #BuildingABetterWay includes projects and people/local community.  

Following Construction Inclusion Week, let’s not lose sight of the progress we’ve made. Let’s continue to ask ourselves, “How can I contribute to a more inclusive workplace?” We have an individual responsibility and a collective accountability that shapes our future.

Construction Inclusion Week 2024 Video

All In,   

Shekinah Fountain