Fight for Meaningful Systemic Change

HKIT Architects unequivocally condemns racism and social inequality and stands in support of Black Lives Matter. We recognize that the status quo has failed the Black community and resolve to do more to fight for meaningful systemic change.

Since our founding in 1948, we have worked with partners in public education, affordable housing, and senior living to nurture bright minds, build strong and safe communities, and care holistically for senior residents providing homes, not just units. This has always been an important part of our core mission, to enrich the community and environment. We are proud of the diversity in our office. We work closely with community organizations, high schools, and local universities to hire interns from diverse backgrounds who are exploring architecture as a  profession and provide them with mentorship and guidance. Members of our staff are integrally involved with NOMA, the National Organization of Minority Architects, and our Director of Design will be co-chairing the national conference this Fall.

Despite these efforts we realize that we have not done enough.

As architects and designers, we pledge to listen more, understand better, and work harder  – both as professionals and members of the community, to address the structural inequalities around us. Specifically, we will do more to expand diversity in the profession and in our staff at HKIT. Over the coming weeks, we will engage our staff in a deeper internal dialogue in open forums to develop ideas and strategies to continue and promote diversity and equity.