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.