Joy Ortiz Drake, AIA, NOMA, and Leen Hariri, Assoc. AIA, contributed to “Reworking Work: A Generational Conversation on the Future of the Architectural Workplace” at the AIA Connecticut Conference and Expo. The interactive session examined how different generations are experiencing and reshaping workplace culture in the post-pandemic era. The multi-generational panel and audience discussion explored evolving expectations around work-life balance, remote work, firm culture, mentorship, and equitable career opportunities.

Amenta Emma celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) by reflecting on the richness, resilience, and enduring contributions of the Hispanic/Latino community to our culture in the US. From architecture, the arts, and sciences to business and public service, their stories are woven into the fabric of this nation. Two of our team members brought in Puerto Rican pastries to share in our Hartford and Boston offices – treats that they grew up enjoying, and we were more than happy to eat!

Amenta Emma team member, Joy Ortiz Drake, AIA, NOMA, volunteered at Project Pipeline held at the Yale School of Architecture in New Haven, CT. The NOMAct Project Pipeline, in partnership with My Architecture Workshops Inc., is a free, 3-day summer architecture experience for middle school students designed to expose underrepresented youth to the built environment, design thinking, and spatial justice.

Volunteers guide students through all stages of design using thought-provoking and fun exercises. Students investigate through drawing and model building, analyze through diagramming and research, and engage through interviews and site visits. By the program’s conclusion, students present a fully realized project that addresses an issue in their city.

Click here to read more about the program.

As part of our Pride Month celebrations, Amenta Emma team members attended the Hartford Athletic Pride Night soccer match, pride-themed happy hours, and purchased treats from Diesel Café in Somerville, a safe haven and champion of LGBTQ+ causes since 1999.

Architect Alexis Hoff, AIA, NOMA, spent time volunteering at the AIA / NOMAColumbus hands-on architecture tent in the Kids Activities Village during the 2025 Columbus Arts Festival. The fields of architecture and design were shared with children and their families through books, drawings, and modeling activities. Over the course of the weekend, more than 800 visitors—children, parents, and curious festival-goers—stopped by to build, draw, and imagine.

(photo courtesy of AIA / NOMAColumbus)

Tim Reagen, AIA, volunteered in the BSA Kindergarten program by visiting students at Cambridgeport School on March 14 and April 4. The program partners with Boston and Cambridge Public Schools to integrate architectural concepts into their existing curriculum, with completed student projects showcased during a May exhibition. Tim introduced the students to architecture by explaining how Architects work and showing fundamental concepts as they relate to their ongoing class project. At Amenta Emma, we believe that diversity makes us stronger. By participating in programs like the BSA Kindergarten initiative, we can inspire students at a younger age who might not otherwise have access to knowledge of the profession, creating a more diverse pipeline of talent for the future!

In March, Debra Seay, AIA, WELL AP, participated in the Career Expo at Avon High School. Deb says, “I love being able to give back to my community, but it’s even better when I can do it representing Amenta Emma Architects.” Deb spoke to freshman and sophomore students about the architecture and interior design professions, job responsibilities, training and education, opportunities for advancement, and critical skills needed for success.

Amenta Emma was honored for the third consecutive year with a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award from AIA Connecticut, as well as the 2024 JEDI Award of Excellence for firms with 11-50 Employees. These awards recognize firms that have made significant strides toward a more diverse and inclusive work environment and profession. Amenta Emma is committed to continuing this effort through our involvement in promoting the AEC industry to younger surrounding communities, focusing on our work culture and belonging, and improving our designs to create more inclusive spaces in our projects. We look forward to continuing the momentum we have established.

Our collaboration with NOMAct and our JEDI+B team brought students from the architecture programs at A. I. Prince Technical High School and Platt Technical High School to our Hartford studio for an inspiring day as part of the “I Am” Series! Our team shared insights on pathways to becoming Architects, Interior Designers, Graphic Designers, and Marketing Professionals, sparking meaningful conversations about careers in design and beyond. It was incredible to see so many passionate students eager to shape the built environment and creative industries! We’re proud to help empower the next generation of design professionals.

The students of the Capital Community College architecture program joined us for a case study presentation and Hartford office tour as part of our JEDI initiatives. They connected with team members across the firm, learning about the process of becoming an architect and interior designer. Our goal is to help inspire students pursuing a design related career path.

Amenta Emma celebrated the 4^th Annual Construction Inclusion Week which amplifies national awareness of career opportunities within the Architecture, Engineering & Construction industry while celebrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement to spearhead change. Throughout the week, we shared our work and insights, with the hope that everyone will recognize the important role they play in shaping the built environment, both today and in the future.

Hartford and Boston team members celebrated PRIDE with after work events at Lamplighter CX and Parkville Market. We had great food, good conversations and participated in Pride themed trivia!

The “LOVE MURAL” at Parkville Market was designed by Lisa Marie Thalhammer, sponsored by Mental Health Connecticut, and was painted with assistance of Hartford community members in 2023 as part of the first phase of painting the mural in all 50 states.

The Amenta Emma JEDI+B committee hosted a meet & greet with NOMAct at our Hartford office. It was great to connect with colleagues from the area and learn about the latest initiatives with NOMAct. We value opportunities like these where we can network and share our DEI efforts with one another.

Members of the AE JEDI+B team joined the freshmen students in the Architecture Program at AI Prince Technical High School in Hartford, CT. Students were given a perspective on a day in the life of a Architect and Interior Designer, followed by meaningful discussions about the design fields. The future is bright!

The students of the Capital Community College architecture program joined us for a case study presentation and Hartford office tour as part of our JEDI initiatives. Our goal is to help inspire students into pursuing (or to continue to pursue) a design related career path.

Seniors from the University of New Haven Interior Design program came to our Hartford office for an office tour with a special stop in our materials library. Members of our JEDI+B team gave them an introduction to the firm, highlighting our different studios, and what it’s like to work at Amenta Emma.

Amenta Emma is honored to be a recipient of a 2023 Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion award from AIA Connecticut. Presented at the 2023 AIA Connecticut Awards Gala, this award gives recognition to firms that have made strides toward a more diverse and inclusive work environment and profession. Amenta Emma has committed to continuing this effort through our involvement in younger surrounding communities to promote the AEC industry, a focus on our work culture and belonging, as well as improvement to our design tactics to create more inclusive spaces in our projects. We are honored to have received recognition for our efforts and look forward to continuing the momentum we have established within our JEDI committee and the Amenta Emma staff. A special thank you is owed to the Connecticut community and AIA CT for welcoming our involvement in JEDI related events throughout the year.

A group of 20 students from Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, an organization that helps prepare young people for success and explore future career interests, spent the morning with our Hartford team. Students watched a presentation given by architects and interior designers, took a firm tour, and participated in a group activity building paper bridges and testing their strengths.

As a part of Construction Inclusion Week and in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club of New Haven, Amenta Emma volunteered in an event hosted by the Gilbane and Turner Construction companies. A national initiative, Construction Inclusion Week takes place annually and brings youth together to emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion in the AEC industry. Students from the local club gathered on a Friday afternoon to watch a presentation by Architects and Construction Managers, and to participate in a group activity building paper bridges and testing their strengths.

Amenta Emma welcomed the University of Hartford’s NOMAS and AIAS student groups for a visit to the Hartford office. The group ranged from freshmen to seniors in the Architectural Engineering Technology program. Following a brief presentation and office tour, an open question and answer session prompted many questions from students which allowed them to gain additional knowledge about working in this field.

As an integral component of the JEDI team’s K-12 outreach initiative, members of the Amenta Emma team paid a visit to AI Prince Technical High School in Hartford, CT. Their objective was to deliver a presentation to students enrolled in the Architecture Program, introducing them to the specific work that Amenta Emma specializes in. This engagement offered students valuable insights into the daily experiences of a designer/architect.

The JEDI+B team helped plan the summer company picnic which began with a 4-hour team-building workshop, led by The Bolder Company, that focused on co-creating and building a climate of belonging at Amenta Emma through an experiential exploration of Bolder’s “CORE4” – listening, speaking up, building relationships & cultivating ownership.

Amenta Emma was delighted to host a high school student from Coventry, CT, expressing interest in a career within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. We carefully planned the job shadow experience, dedicating a half-day for the student to engage with various professionals, including our technical staff, interior designers, marketing manager, and graphic designer. The visit concluded with an informal meal in our lunchroom, providing the shadowee with the opportunity to interact with additional team members and gain a comprehensive understanding of a career in the AEC industry.

The Hip Hop Architecture Camp positions Hip Hop culture as a catalyst to introduce underrepresented youth to architecture, urban planning, and design. The program brings students together with AEC professionals and hip hop artists to create their own Hip Hop Architecture track and music video. As a sponsor and volunteer, Amenta Emma was able to assist students in physical and digital model building. This experience was not only rewarding for the students but also for the Amenta Emma team members who were able to participate.