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.

April 2026 EDI Dates

• Autism Acceptance Month: Focuses on celebrating and supporting autistic individuals.
• Celebrate Diversity Month: Dedicated to recognizing and honoring the diversity of the world.
• Stress Awareness Month: Highlights the importance of mental health and managing stress.
• Arab-American Heritage Month: Celebrates the history and culture of Arab communities.
• Month of the Military Child: Honors the sacrifices of children in military families. 

• April 2: World Autism Awareness Day.
• April 7: World Health Day.
• April 11–17: Black Maternal Health Week.
• April 15: National American Sign Language (ASL) Day.
• April 21–27: Lesbian Visibility Week.
• April 22: Earth Day.
• April 24–30: Global Intergenerational Week. 

• April 1–9: Passover (Judaism).
• April 5: Palm Sunday (Eastern Orthodox).
• April 13: Vaisakhi (Sikh).
• April 17: Easter (Christian).
• April 21–May 2: Festival of Ridvan (Bahá’í).