Salem, MA – Jones Architecture announced it established its DEI Council in January 2023 with the goal of creating more diversity within the firm. Initiatives include building an office culture that pushes for inclusive design and increased diversity in the firm, as well as working with the surrounding community on equity projects and bringing architecture to diverse groups of young students through the firm’s pre-professional mentorship program.
“We welcome the initiatives the council is exploring and looking to put in place – it’s a journey for us and that is very much the point – we want to advance a culture of inclusion and belonging in our process,” said Founder and Principal Rick Jones.
The group is made up of seven employees including Senior Associate Sarah Tarbet, AIA and Project Manager Thonah Ep. The council meets six times a year, comprises diverse voices in the firm, and is developing a set of guidelines that they hope will guide Jones in its work with clients and the community as well as its day-to-day operations.
“We have been focusing on identifying how we can be most impactful through action and want to challenge existing processes to make inclusive design a baseline within the office,” said Tarbet.
Ep emphasizes the council’s goal to make Jones a leading voice for equity. “I’d like to see the profession be a better reflection of the world we live in and hope that more people of diverse backgrounds can have a voice in architecture,” he said.
