最近几周，各种大型公司出现了，承认需要变革和包容性工作场所。然而，建筑业仍然静音。作为一个热爱该行业的黑人妇女建筑企业主，我的同龄人的沉默说了很多。

The lack of conversation may lead some to believe the problem is bigger than we think.

My construction journey began when I was hired by Urban Metro Development, a top black-owned environmental contractor at the time. While there, I learned nearly every role I could—from receptionist to estimator, field supervisor, project manager and vice president.

在公司工作是一种出色的学习经验。管理团队在种族上是多种多样的，超过30％的野外经理是女性。

因此，当我成立我的公司LMS总承包商时，我不了解在传统白人男性主导的行业中是双重少数，黑人妇女的吸引力。通过种族主义和性别歧视前进可能会筋疲力尽。

种族主义和微观攻击

Sadly, I’ve been subjected to racism and micro-aggressions over the past 12 years. I’ve been called racial slurs by other contractor representatives. I’ve experienced being locked out of my own project site for “my safety” and had my equipment fuel lines cut in the middle of the night.

最令人讨厌的事件之一是拉斯维加斯赌场告诉我，无法发出支票“因为赌场用完了纸张”。

尽管进行了试验，但我仍继续相信建筑行业。

几年前，我是获得加利福尼亚CSLB通用工程（A）许可证的最年轻的黑人妇女。为了增进我的业务，​​我回到学校，并获得了亚利桑那州立大学的商业重点的法律学位。

尽管我的教育和许可成就，但这还不够。

To get noticed by the larger contractors, I had to acquire certification. Due to the lack of diversity, black and minority companies are generally forced to rely on Affirmative Action, DBE, SBA, and local program certifications to become part of the team.

通常，我们不会在行业中拥有关系，指导或资源来帮助促进我们的业务。传统上，我们不会收到圣诞节聚会，钓鱼旅行或高尔夫比赛的邀请。

随着行业的收入数十亿美元的收入，看到黑人多将军公司创建，出售给大型公司或让投资者推动公司公开并不常见。随着差距的增加，少数族裔企业继续在社会和经济上从背后进行社会和经济工作。

由黑人，有色人种和妇女拥有和领导的公司不在顶级建筑行业公司的读者名单中。

The implicit bias exhibited in the construction industry is evidenced through the lack of diversity in ownership, leadership, management and in the field. Diversity goals cannot be met with single hires or by naming a female employee of color as diversity and inclusion coordinator.

对于公司对变革和包容的渴望的真诚，它始于顶部，必须在各个层面见证。

黑人公司=黑色工作

建造’s labor shortage remains critical. Inclusion allows for industry growth and adds to urban viability. More to the point, black companies create job opportunities for black people and people of color. For over a decade, I’ve hired and trained men and women with an 87% success rate. The more opportunities I obtain, the more people I can help get out of poverty, provide for families, and learn a trade through long term employment.

对于建筑公司和供应商来说，是支持多样性的真实盟友，需要采取可行的步骤进行周到的方法。

To see a change in construction culture, firms need to be accountable for diversity commitments at every level—hiring its employees, leaders, subcontractors and vendors. Top companies create the narrative and the trends that others follow. That said, they especially need to ask themselves the hard questions.

How many black contractors, minority contractors and women contractors were hired last year? In the past five years? Does the company go out of its way to hire only those who look like them or seem familiar? Do the company’s culture and team reflect inclusiveness?

建造industry leaders have talked about the importance of diversity and inclusion. Now is the time to show it.

变化从我们的舒适度结束的地方开始。

詹妮弗·托德（Jennifer Todd）is owner and president of LMS General Contractors Inc., a阿宝mpano Beach, Fla., certified woman- and minority-owned and operated general contractor and construction management firm. Established in 2013, LMS self-performs demolition, emergency cleanup and environmental remediation. She can be reached at jtodd@lmsgc.com