About The AIAPrograms & Initiatives

In the Fall of 2011, the AIA Diversity and Inclusion Council (DivCo), sponsored the creation of a panel program to introduce action steps deemed critical in advancing the initiative of creating a more diverse and inclusive profession. The task: develop plans and strategies to move our profession, the AIA, and its members to action. “CPR…Critical Professional Response: An Action Plan to Build Diverse and Inclusive Practices” was prduced and later presented at the AIA Ohio Valley Regional Conference held in Dayton, Ohio in September 2011. Developed by DivCo members Dr. Curtis Sartor, AIA; Kenneth Casey, AIA; and Judson Kline, FAIA, the session brokered three topics: 1) the history and importance of diversity and inclusion in the profession, 2) a personal journey from a practitioner’s point of view and 3) explore action steps individuals and firms can take to help produce an inclusive and diverse profession. DivCo produced the program to help address building a profession, Institute and practices to include all voices, including race, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, or religious beliefs.

In the past AIA has produced policy statements to help frame and guide the direction for the Institute and its members regarding diversity and inclusion. CPR acknowledges diversity as a cultural ethos: a way of thinking or acting to foster inclusion and enhance membership and quality of life in our communities, all programs and initiatives of the AIA.

Addressing the challenge of building an inclusive and diverse profession begins at the practice level. To attain the preferred future inclusive community our firms must begin to develop action plans. By embracing cultural diversity in every avenue, our members can better reflect society.

The focus for CPR and the 12 Strategies is to provide approaches firms can take to build this new diverse and inclusive profession. The 12 Steps offer practical approaches that can be incorporated into business plans to achieve the goals for diversity and inclusion:

12 Step Strategies Leading to a Diverse and Inclusive Profession

This matrix provides a few ideas promoted by the program. CPR also highlights other specific resources and connections for members and firms to pursue to achieve this goal. The program concludes by acknowledging what to do and why it is important; then identifies big ideas, the low hanging fruit and finally, suggests the path to developing answers can be approached as a design problem; a process the architectural profession knows and understands well!

Awareness without Action is an emotion. Action without Awareness is an attempt. Action with Awareness, supported by a plan, can accomplish any endeavor! DivCo’s “CPR…Critical Professional Response an Action Plan to Build Diverse and Inclusive Practices” provides the Awareness and the Agenda leading to Action, which will help to achieve the desired future for firms, the institute, the profession and communities.