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Celebrating Black History Month

Signs pointing toward various landmarks in Africa Town, including Judkins Park, the NW African American Museum, and the Douglas Truth Public Library
Posted on February 15, 2025
Post categories: Community Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

In honor of Black History Month, the CBE Diversity Council shares a message celebrating the contributions of Black scholars and built environment professionals.

Dear CBE Community,

Every year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) chooses a theme for Black History Month. This year’s theme, “African Americans and labor,” reminds us at CBE of the resilience and impact of African Americans.

According to the US Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey, while 13.7% of the US population identifies as Black, only 6.5% of the construction workforce, 10.8% of the Real Estate workforce, and 6.8% of the workforce in architectural, engineering, and related services are Black.

Despite the underrepresentation within those disciplines, many Black scholars and built environment professionals have made substantial contributions and worked hard to better our world, often in the face of racism and discrimination. A few initiatives and local groups that our college has partnered with in the past include:

Nehemiah Initiative – created to empower the African American community by supporting the retention of historically Black institutions and advocating for the development of real property assets owned by historically Black institutions. Learn more about our CBE studio offerings here.

Wa Na Wari – a Seattle Central Area-based non-profit organization that creates space for Black ownership, possibility, and belonging through art, historic preservation, and connection. One key project  led by this organization is CACE 21 – The Central Area Cultural Ecosystem for the 21st Century. This community-driven anti-displacement research project seeks to understand the needs of Black homeowners and mobilize the community so that Black legacy homeowners can retain their homes in the face of dramatic neighborhood change.

Diversity Council also suggests that you take some time to appreciate other individuals who contributed to built environment disciplines this month:

  • Read up on people like Mel Streeter, one of the team members who designed Safeco Field, Qwest Stadium, and SeaTac Airport.
  • Samuel J Cullers is widely recognized as the first African American professionally trained urban planner in the US.
  • Labor organizers like Tyree Scott fought for workers’ rights in Seattle by founding the United Construction Workers Association, and you can even view historical documents from Tyree Scott in the UW Libraries Special Collections!

In solidarity,

CBE Diversity Committee