Dear Colleagues,
GRASSROOTS
This past February, I participated in AIA’s Grassroots. This is the AIA’s premier chapter leadership training event. Our chapter president-elect, Bill Helm, also participated in three days of leadership training, including discussing critical issues facing the profession. Although virtual, we were able to connect with other chapter leaders in Texas, throughout the country and I observed some were as far away as Guam, to share priorities and discuss alignment of those priorities. We also explored the barriers that hold us back from achieving our highest ideals as a profession and how to use the power of our community to create an equitable, sustainable future. Recall, AIA President Dan Hart’s inauguration speech, justice and climate was echoed 50 years ago.
At Grassroots, we had the pleasure of listening to four inspiring keynote speakers whose work is the embodiment of AIA’s values. These speakers are some of the most exciting voices in leadership, equity, and sustainability. They are Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, author, professor and antiracist activist; Dr. Katherine Wilkerson, author, strategist and teacher; Dr. Lawrence Chatters, Director for DEI at the University of Nebraska; and Walter Hood, FASLA, Hood Design Studios.
Please take a moment to look up these inspirational leaders and view their work and I’m sure you will come away with a new perspective. I personally found Mr. Hood to be the most interesting and relatable. When he was speaking of and showing his work, I could only think of El Paso. Through his work he creates urban spaces that unite neighborhoods. He transforms marginalized communities and blighted areas into emerging sustainable public and social space and always honoring the cultural fabric in his design.
This makes me think of El Paso and our local firms doing work throughout the city. Again, referring to Dan Hart, he said “design is our superpower”. How do you, your processes and designs meet AIA’s values and creating an equitable and sustainable future? I ask you to reflect and going forward, strive to achieve this though the built environment using the power of design.
Sincerely,
Michael T. Stills
2022 AIA El Paso Chapter President