DIVERSITY & INCLUSION #IYouWe Series: Breaking Down Barriers


By Carol Eaton At its heart, Build California’s


#IYOUWE series on Instagram Live is about building a better construction industry. Launched this summer, the


ongoing series is intent on lifting up diversity, providing educational opportunities and breaking down barriers to marginalized communities. Te end goal: building a California construction industry that is diverse, inclusive and welcoming to all. In June, two separate livestreaming


sessions on “Black Leaders in Construction” featured Henry Nutt III with Southland Industries and Chris Jones with ACCO Engineered Systems. Tey discussed the need for more Black voices, representation and increased opportunities for Blacks in the industry. Another #IYOUWE livestreaming series in August featured Jessica Fontenot from Trades- women, Inc. and Wesley Crunk of Brother’s Keeper, discussing Allyship in Construction. During his session Jones,


who is director of safety for ACCO, drew a parallel between the goal of Build California to shape positive perception of the construction industry and break down stereotypes about the industry with the challenge facing Black and brown people to “shape and reshape the perspective of the majority of white America.” “We are a diverse group,”


Jones said. “Don’t be afraid to get to know Black and Latina people. Find out how we really are. Engage us.


18 November/December 2020 California Constructor


What I like about Build California is it provides an opportunity for young people to come in close to construction and see something different about it. Te parallel I would draw is, we as Black and Latinos, we’re calling mainstream America to come in and see us closer, get to know us. We are not what you think we are or what the media portrays us to be.” Jones said forums like the Build


California #IYOUWE series that provide a platform for voices to be heard are key. “Tat is a huge step in joining the fight and making change,” he said. In the “Allyship” series, Jessica


Fontenot described her work as an advocate and ally for minority women located in San Francisco’s Bayview/ Hunter’s Point neighborhood and


elsewhere. She is focused on helping women navigate an array of on the job challenges and make inroads in the traditionally male-dominated construction industry. Wesley Crunk also shared his journey from formerly incarcerated to his current role as director of Brother’s Keeper, a program of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters Training Fund, where he helps young people find their footing getting into the trades. Trough carpentry training and job placement assistance, the program helps educate and build effective skilled trade-workers. To view any of these sessions,


visit Build California’s IGTV page at https://www.instagram.com/buildca/ channel/.


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