AIA Redwood Empire is deeply saddened and concerned by the events that have transpired in our nation spurring protests, civil unrest, and violence. We support the constitutional right to peacefully protest in public spaces. We seek to cultivate and support a civil society where social justice and universal respect for human dignity are the norm and truly hope that we are standing at a precipice of great change.

AIARE stands with the community and people of color to condemn systemic racism and police brutality. Understanding how racism negatively impacts the lives all people of color and therefore, the overall health of our country, requires honest inquiry and listening; it requires change and action.

As architects we design spaces, but more importantly, we build communities with a commitment to creating healthy environments that bolster well-being. We are charged with protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public and holding true to building equitable places for all.

We are listening. We care deeply. Now, we are called upon to do more. Our chapter is committed to being part of the solution and will continue to listen to the community and be a voice that calls out against injustice, prejudice or inequality of any type – racial, gender, social, economic.

We urge you to read the full statement released by the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Leaders Leon Holloway and Veronica Barrow. Here is the opening to the statement released on May 31, 2020:

Architects are civic stewards who aim to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public through the built environment. As members of NOMA NW and of the AEC community, we believe it is our duty to design and build equitable spaces for all, without prejudice or bias, and to minimize the effects of racism within our profession. We must leverage our positions of privilege to help our most vulnerable citizens, neighbors, and colleagues – who too strive for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We also wanted to share a few more statements from AIA National and neighboring chapters.

AIA National Statement

AIA Board Statement on Systemic Racial Injustice

AIA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement

AIASF Statement

AIA Oregon Statement

NOMA Public Statement

Please share your comments and your ideas with us on how we can help make change happen. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,

The 2020 Board of Directors

Mary Dooley, AIA – President

Douglas Hilberman, AIA –  President Elect

Juliano Sorondo, Assoc. AIA – Treasurer (Incumbent)

Peter Levelle, AIA – Past President

Sean Taber, AIA – Secretary

Drew Weigl, AIA – AIACA Director (Incumbent)

Scott Bartley, AIA – Director at Large (Government Affairs, Incumbent)

Ross Jones, AIA – Director at Large (Professional Dev.)

Diana Mendez, Assoc. AIA – Director of Emerging Professionals (Incumbent)

Casey McDonald – Allied Director

Tyler Chartier – Allied Director

Carissa Green – Executive Director