Rochester Concrete Products’ Post

In the 20th century, Black architects and designers blended modern design elements like clean lines and minimalism with experimental approaches to reimagine how we experience built spaces. Despite their innovation, however, their work has long gone under-recognized. That's why we partnered with the J. Paul Getty Trust, to create the Conserving Black Modernism program. The CBM has awarded $3.1 million to fund preservation work at 16 modernist historic sites designed by Black architects across the country since 2022. Black Modernist architects, like the Davis family and Charles McAfee, have left an indelible mark on the architectural landscape, redefining what it means to create spaces that honor history, identity, and community. Preserving these stories isn’t just about safeguarding buildings; it’s about ensuring that the cultural contributions of Black architects continue to inspire future generations. #BlackModernism #BlackArchitects https://lnkd.in/gmCiT5_p

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when approximately 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to deliver the news that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people were free by executive decree. This is a day for celebration and reflection on our nation’s history, but it’s also a day that we can recommit ourselves to promoting equality. Hoffman is committed to creating a more diverse construction industry because we believe social equity and inclusion make us better builders. Ensuring a diverse workforce is a core component of every Hoffman project – regardless of contract requirements. We have long-standing relationships with programs and organizations that promote diversity and inclusion in the construction trades. We actively engage the subcontracting community to help optimize opportunities for minorities on our projects. We also take a skill building approach to increasing diverse participation in our industry. While it’s good to help a firm get work on a project, we think it’s even better to help them gain the skills that will allow them to grow and prosper over the long-term. We have outreach specialists who provide technical support and mentorship to minority-owned firms. We make sure everyone has a chance to work on our job sites and that firms grow in scope and capacity from experience. Today we celebrate and honor this important day in history, and we reaffirm our company’s commitment to supporting equity and inclusion in the construction industry. 

Very interesting article on the influence of Black caddies on the game of golf by my Spatial Research & Design colleague Craig Gill. Definitely worth a read!

Project 7️⃣: The Albina Preservation Initiative As part of our effort to tell an inclusive story of Oregon’s past, Restore Oregon partnered with JFI, Oregon Black Pioneers, Moreland Resource Consulting, Clatsop Community College Historic Preservation Program, and the Architectural Heritage Center, to launch the Albina Preservation Initiative–a step forward to make preservation work better for Black communities and a transformative shift for Oregon. https://lnkd.in/gDJKNyNr

This philosophy is more than inspirational ideas, it’s a way of life at Snyder & Company. We have embraced the wisdom of these principles and put them into action every day! Read more about it: https://lnkd.in/e-WbF9u

As we celebrate the 4th of July, it is a perfect time to reflect on the essence of compromise and collaboration that is deeply woven into the fabric of our nation. At the Constitutional Convention, the Great Compromise between the New Jersey and Virginia plans for representation exemplified the spirit of listening and working together. This landmark agreement not only balanced the interests of large and small states but also laid the foundation for our democratic principles, showing that through dialogue and mutual respect, we can achieve solutions that serve the common good.This spirit of compromise extends beyond our founding documents. In our personal relationships, whether with significant others, family, or friends, the willingness to listen as much, if not more, than we speak fosters healthy, enduring bonds. In our professional lives, especially in diverse and dynamic work environments, collaboration and a readiness to understand different perspectives drive innovation and success. Today, as we enjoy the freedoms that our forebearers fought for, let us remember that these freedoms are best upheld when we embrace the values of empathy, respect, and cooperation. Listening with the intent to understand, rather than to respond, strengthens our communities and enriches our collective experience.Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 4th of July! Let’s celebrate the liberty that allows us to speak our minds and the wisdom to listen to others. (Fireworks in Morgantown are pretty awesome) #FourthofJuly #IndependenceDay #Compromise #Collaboration #Freedom #Listening

For all the Gen X generalists, the journeyfolk, the apprentices of life and leadership and transformation. https://lnkd.in/eNyrAFXe

Throwback Thursday: Honoring Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights On this day, we look back to 1978, when the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights posthumously honored Eleanor Roosevelt for her pivotal role in shaping the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). As chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Roosevelt championed the creation of this landmark document, which was adopted in 1948. Her dedication to ensuring that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” remains a cornerstone of global human rights advocacy. The UDHR is more than a historical artifact; it’s a living document that continues to influence laws, policies, and international agreements. However, as we celebrate Roosevelt’s legacy, we must also recognize the ongoing challenges to human rights worldwide. Issues such as discrimination, inequality, and the erosion of freedoms remind us that this work is far from over. Roosevelt once said, “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home.” This timeless wisdom calls us to reflect on our own communities and workplaces. Are we fostering inclusion? Are we challenging injustices? Upholding human rights is not just the responsibility of governments and organizations—it’s a commitment we all must share. Today, let us honor Eleanor Roosevelt’s achievements by continuing her mission to promote dignity, equality, and justice for all. Global human rights are not just ideals but necessities for building a better world. #CNJAssociates #HumanRights #EqualityForAll #DiversityAndInclusion #GlobalImpact #ThrowbackThursday #UNHistory

A New Era of Justice: Unveiling a Unique Lady Justice Statue !!!! Exciting news in the world of justice! A new statue of Lady Justice has just been unveiled, and it’s like nothing we’ve seen before. Traditionally, Lady Justice is shown with a blindfold, scales, and a sword, symbolizing fairness, balance, and the rule of law. But this new statue brings a fresh perspective like no blindfold and Also the sword is replaced with the constitution . It’s a powerful reminder that justice is constantly evolving with the times. This new design reflects the growing importance of transparency, inclusivity, and adapting to modern challenges.

https://lnkd.in/eT7mv3Cc This is my second time watching this documentary in ten years, and it still moves me to tears. The strength and resilience of the Black students who stood up for their beliefs—locking themselves in a computer room at Concordia University to protest a racist professor—are truly inspiring. This spirit has guided me throughout my university journey and motivated me to challenge injustice. Today, injustice is less overt than it was back then; it’s now more covert and insidious. At the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law, I noticed not just the quality of education, but the pervasive racism that exists—not from teachers, but from fellow students and their unions. Their demeanor and comments conveyed a clear message: you don’t belong. It was nothing but raw, hateful hostility. I was invited by a student of the university of laval to participate in a study on racism in the faculty and I cannot wait to share it. Sadly, I observed a significant lack of unity among Black students in this faculty . Many seemed more focused on fitting in with those who didn’t care about their struggles than on building solidarity with one another. If we had been facing an issue like this, how many would have stood up? It seems the desire for acceptance often overshadowed the need for collective action and support. Instead of coming together to address the racism they faced, there was a tendency to navigate the environment individually, which weakened their collective resilience. Without that unity, the fight against injustice becomes even more challenging. #standup #fightinjustice