MINORITY-OWNED PLANNING FIRMS ARE AS ESSENTIAL AS THEY EVER WERE, THESE FOUR TOP EXPERTS ARGUE — NO MATTER WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS
“When you visit the street where Mike Brown was killed [in Ferguson, Missouri, or] when you visit the intersection where George Floyd was killed [in Minneapolis] – the places where their blood spilled out — it is very clear there is no process, tool, or policy that deals with the need to heal the land,” said Dr. Destiny Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles-based Thrivance Group,
Despite the current political climate, Charles Brown, who is the Founder & CEO of the urban planning, public policy and research firm, Horizon 54, emphasizes that his minority-owned firm is growing — and others can too.
Because even if the rules change, his
clients recognize the benefits of both his expertise and his lived
experience.
“There is a
big difference between being on the team and having influence over the work,”
said Brown, an award-winning transportation professional. “Too often, the
minority firm is one of eight or nine subs, has a small scope, and has little
say over the budget, methodology, or final recommendations.
“Diversity at the bottom of the organizational chart is not the same as diversity in decision-making,” Brown continued.
“Giving qualified, diverse firms
opportunities to lead means they help shape the project from the beginning
rather than simply being brought in to check a box.”
No comments:
Post a Comment