J.E.D.I

The J.E.D.I. section is designed to highlight the people, companies and organizations that are implementing principles to further justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in their workplaces and communities.

The Corporate Real Estate Industry’s ‘CREST’ for Talent

by Jacqueline A. Falla

I could reference an outstretched hand, a mentor, coach, or guide, the likes of which sound-minded individuals would not even consider canoeing down the Congo without. However, I am in the construction industry, and most of you reading this know exactly what I am talking about when I reference scaffolding, the strong, sure, stabilizing structure, erected until the foundation, walls, and internal bones of the building are strong and true. That is what the CREST internship program provides to young women and underrepresented populations of college students that may or may not have known that there was a place for them to flourish inside the commercial real estate industry. To be clear, knowing is not enough. A young person needs a network of people actively vested in their success. The CREST internship program is uniquely structured to provide just that. It unwittingly tapped into one of the industry’s most formidable assets: our competitive nature. To hear industry partners, which include developers, commercial real estate professionals, architects, builders, and some of Boston’s biggest businesses, brag about their interns as if they were their own children, bantering on about who connected who to whom, attended more industry and networking events, compiled the longest recommended reading list, imparted advice, strategized for the win, and/ or received a full-time offer, is to know that the program has succeeded. Like so many good deeds done, you get at least as much of the reward as the student. Pride and purpose during a time when we are desperate to fortify our ranks with talented professionals, at every stage of their career and in nearly every capacity, CREST is certainly not the only answer, but it’s a good one.

The ten week paid internship program is a partnership between employers and local colleges that identify high performing women and people of color to participate. The CREST team recruits, interviews, selects and matches these highly qualified students with participating CRE employers. In addition to their employment, students receive skills enhancement through the CREST Virtual Education Program (VEP). They learn presentations skills, public speaking, writing, and more. When students return to college in the fall, they become ambassadors for the program, and our industry.

CREST has gathered an impressive group of industry supporters since its inception. NAIOP, ULI, CREW GBREB and CoreNet Global New England Chapter are among the industry organizations that are working to bring visibility to this

making places memorable

Bower, Boston, MA

Copley Wolff Design Group

Landscape Architects & Planners

important program. CoreNet offers five corporate members the opportunity to apply for a half funded participation grant. This year, CoreNet paired six CREST interns with mentors in the industry. Whether it’s the competitive spirit at play, or an altruistic desire to help, our success is tethered to theirs, and the time to invest in the next generation of leaders is now.

For more information on the program, visit www.crestinternship.com or reach out to Sandra King, senior program advisor, at sking@crestinternship.com.

Jacqueline A. Falla serves as a member of Elaine Construction’s Leadership Team as director of client services.

PPS Announces New Strategic Plan

On July 30, at PPS headquarters at the Old Brick School House, Governor McKee signed a bill implementing the newly developed African American history curriculum for Rhode Island public schools. Providence, RI – The Providence Preservation Society (PPS) announced the rollout of a new strategic plan, with the mission of shaping the future of preservation into one that is more equitable than ever before. The plan will see PPS expand its sphere of influence beyond its traditional constituencies to better serve the whole of Providence, as well as co-create new tools to help all neighborhoods shape their futures while preserving their pasts.

Representatives of PPS say the organization recognizes the disproportionate impact and consequences that preservation can have on some residents of Providence, particularly people of color, immigrants, and those with limited financial means. They add that historic preservation has a role to play in addressing 21st Century challenges related to affordable housing, environmental justice, and telling the full American story, and recognize that it can only succeed by connecting meaningfully with all the communities of Providence.

“We have long been a leader in preservation, and we will continue to be an example of the progress preservation can represent when we look at equity and restorative justice,” said Brent Runyon, executive director of PPS. “PPS believes in a Providence where everyone can thrive, and that preservation, at its center, must put people first.” In the fall of 2020, the PPS board and staff took part in anti-racism awareness workshops conducted by Rhode Island for Community & Justice. Alongside preservation colleagues nationally, the organization began working to acknowledge the culpability of preservation in the nation’s legacy of injustice. It is now undertaking reviews of all its programs, including the Historic Property Markers. To begin putting their new guiding principles into action, the team has launched several new initiatives. The society is working with the South Providence Neighborhood Association to build meaningful relationships and co-create new tools that can positively affect neighborhoods underserved by preservation. They are also working to secure funding to continue their workforce training program in construction skills specific to old buildings.