Over the past two weeks, the visible and violent culmination of generations of racism against Black Americans has demanded that we work to dismantle the systems that disproportionately benefit White Americans. We felt the urge to respond quickly given the immediacy of the moment, but also feel a sense of responsibility to educate and examine ourselves.
We are a White-led firm that benefits from the structure of a predominately White profession that answers to predominantly White clients. While we may have felt that we acknowledged these facts internally and have worked to make change, it has not been enough, within our firm or within the profession of landscape architecture. There is so much work we have to do.
Below are the actions we are taking to do the work:
Learn - We will continue to learn by reading, listening, and discussing. We will add to the list below and are open to comments, suggestions, and critique.
Elevate - We will elevate our Black design colleagues by promoting their work with our clients and connections. Last year we worked with a client to compile a list of designers of color to lead a project in Indianapolis. We have made that document public here on our website and have added the same names and firms to lists that are currently being compiled to elevate BIPOC designers across the country.
Vote - We will use our individual power to elect anti-racist politicians and vote for anti-racist policies.
Donate - We will donate time and money to support the work of anti-racist organizations. We are currently an office with staff that works remotely in four midwestern cities (Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and St. Louis). We have donated money to anti-racists organizations in each of our cities and will continue to do so.
Advocate - We serve on boards and alumni councils. We teach. We volunteer. We will be a more adamant voice, both locally and nationally, to advocate for anti-racist programs, policies, and actions from organizations that have the power to make change and to teach the next generation.
Partner - We will actively seek out partnerships with clients, consultants, and communities who support anti-racist projects.
Design - We design and build physical spaces. We will challenge clients to ensure that all landscapes are safe, inclusive, and welcoming. We have committed to the Design Justice for Black Lives Demands. We are ready to look, listen, learn, and design meaningful processes alongside local stakeholders that result in public spaces that are sensitive to context and reflective of the communities that they currently serve.
