What DEI Means at A1DesignBuild

The Power of Difference

What does DEI mean to you? In this age of political uncertainty, this term has certainly become a hot-button topic on both the left and the right, and come to have many different meanings to many different people.

Over here at A1DesignBuild, we decided to ask our employees what DEI meant to them. Is it equal opportunity? Is it listening to multiple voices and perspectives? Is it trying to find a way to empower people who have been marginalized or lack the resources many of us have?

It just might be all these things, and much more. Read on - and add your comment below as to what DEI means to you. And thanks for stopping by.

Different colors on the shelf.

I am personally so incredibly proud to be a part of A1's DEI supportive stance, and I know that an answer is in listening and loving, and in this day of cancellation and erasure of DEI policy, I pray everyone I know comes out of this okay.

- Michael Feeney

Sun Tzu said “There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard. There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever be seen. There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted. Diversity doesn't look like anyone. It looks like everyone.”

- Justus Peterson

Diversity, equity and inclusion, to me, means giving everyone opportunities - regardless of the color of their skin, their background, their gender, their higher education level, their religious beliefs, their different abilities (and so on). Not everyone in this world has the same opportunities, I want to work in the type of company (and I think we are) who opens doors for folks who haven't had the same opportunities. We are not all the same, and we should celebrate our differences. We all deserve respect, acceptance, fair treatment and support.

- Adriana Irvin

It's more than one sentence, but here goes: supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion is about building something stronger than any one perspective can offer. I don't pretend to have it all figured out, but I believe in showing up with humility, listening more than speaking, and creating space where every person feels respected and is able to contribute fully. 

It's less about having the perfect words and more about consistent actions over time. 

- Dave Kangas

Because of DEI-driven protections like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), I’ve been able to care for my family and continue my career without the added burden of lost income at a time when emotional resilience is stretched thin and two-income homes aren’t a luxury, they’re a necessity.

- Serina Boisjoile

Complex problems require complex solutions.  A wise leader cultivates a diversity of perspective, experience and approach.  We have demonstrated that monocultures are limited and often toxic environments.  A diverse culture is a resilient culture...we have also learned that as an environment moves towards homogeneity it also moves closer to sickness and collapse.  This is a clearly recorded symptom of a dying culture or habitat.

- Patrick Martin

To me, DEI is about fairness and the willingness to change systems so they no longer leave people behind. It’s about seeing each other clearly, with compassion, and making space where everyone belongs.

- Maggie Bates

Fostering an environment that is more resilient by having a wide array of strengths, backgrounds, and experiences while being open and accepting to ideas, cultures and peoples that are different from you.

- Mitch Harter

This last Tuesday was Earth Day. In the words of Wendell Berry, “the earth is what we all have in common”. That’s true, and there’s a lot more we have in common as well. If we explore each other, listen to each other, and embrace each other, we can help each other along the way. That sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it?

Tell us what you think below.