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.

June 2025 EDI Calendar

Month of June: LGBTQ+ Pride Month  Pride Month recognizes LGBTQ+ people and the effect they’ve had on the world. June was selected to commemorate the Stonewall Riots

Month of June: Caribbean American Heritage Month  This month recognizes those of Caribbean descent and the impact their accomplishments have had throughout American history

6/2: Indian Citizenship Act of 1924  This act granted Native Americans born in the U.S. citizenship. However, they were not given the right to vote until 1957.

6/4-6/9: Islamic Hajj pilgrimage  This day begins the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims must take once in their lives if they are physically and financially capable.

6/8: Puerto Rican Day Parade  This parade is a demonstration of cultural pride that seeks to raise awareness of issues in the Puerto Rican community

6/12: Loving Day  This day is the anniversary of the court decision that legalizes interracial marriage.

6/19: Juneteenth This day commemorates when the last African Americans learned of the Emancipation Proclamation (over two years after it was originally issued).