The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee works to promote and develop strategies to increase the numbers of professionals of color to align with population proportions and to improve their experiences within the profession. We are also committed to advancing the leadership of women within the industry and profession. We hold that our environment must be developed with the experiences of diverse professionals.

RESOURCES 
EDUCATION:

• DEI Foundations/workshops 
  • Pittsburgh’s EDI committee has established DEI Foundations/ workshops for firms to receive training. 
  • Topics available | Foundations ED&I; Implicit Bias; White Fragility 
  • Forthcoming Topics: Onboarding & Welcoming; Civility
  • Contact Tiffany Castagno via info@aiapgh.org.  Use this link for more information.

SUPPORT: 

• EDI Initiatives in the state are varied with different focuses and target groups. 
• Full ongoing document for view:  EDI Initiatives around Pennsylvania 

AIA PA BUILDING FUTURES PROGRAM (New Initiative for 2025) 
This program will provide high school students who attended a NOMA Project Pipeline summer camp with a shadowing opportunity to explore architecture and design. Participants will attend the NOMA National Conference in Kansas City (Oct 8-12, 2025), accompanied by a parent or guardian, to experience networking, professional workshops, and exposure to career pathways in the industry.

The goals of the program are:

• Empower students: Offer the students exposure to architecture and design professionals through the conference and shadowing opportunities.
• Strengthen Connections: Build long-term mentorship opportunities by pairing students with architects at the conference.
• Increase representation: Encourage diverse representation by advancing the pipeline for underrepresented students.

More information about applying for this program will be posted when available.

September 2025 EDI Calendar

September 15 to October 15 – National Hispanic Heritage Month: This month honors Hispanic and Latino Americans for their contributions to U.S. culture. Learn more at:https://latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/hispanic-heritage-month-resources

September is also National Recovery Month: This awareness month seeks to educate Americans on treatment and health services for individuals with substance use disorder. Learn more at:https://www.samhsa.gov/recovery-month

September 10 – International Suicide Prevention Day: This movement was started to raise awareness about suicide prevention.. Learn more at: https://www.iasp.info/wspd/

September 11 – Patriot Day: On the morning of September 11, 2001, the worst terrorist attack in American history occurred when four commercial airliners were hijacked by al-Qaeda members. Two crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and another into a field in Pennsylvania. Learn more at: https://www.dodea.edu/news/observance-calendar/national-day-service-and-remembrance-september-11

September 18 – International Equal Pay Day: This movement was started by the UN with the goal of promoting gender equality. Learn more at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/equal-pay-day

September 20 – HeForShe: This movement was started by the UN with the goal of promoting gender equality. Learn more at: https://www.heforshe.org/en

September 21 – International Day of Peace: This UN day encourages all nations to observe a ceasefire. Each year the UN bell is rung in New York City to inaugurate this nonviolence day. Learn more at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace

September 23 – International Day of Sign Languages: This date celebrates sign languages and their importance for deaf communities. Learn more at:

September 23 – Autumnal Equinox: This date marks a variety of religious observances across the globe. Learn more at: https://wfdeaf.org/international-week-of-deaf-people-2025/ https://goingcosmic.com/september-equinox-autumn-festivals/