No Judgment Here: Starting the EDI Conversation

Questioning the need for equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives should not spark controversy or guilt, says Samantha McCloud, director of community involvement, diversity & inclusion at GastingerWalker& in this podcast episode.

1 MIN READ

Listen to more podcast episodes from ARCHITECT here.

In what may seem like a particularly polarizing time for discourse, Samantha McCloud, AIA, welcomes your questions about equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Based in Kansas City, Mo., a city that historically ranks as one of the most segregated in the nation, McCloud knows her hometown has room for improvement. But as someone who began advocating for equity as an architecture student, she has never been one to shy from an uphill battle.

Samantha McCloud

Samantha McCloud

Now the director of community involvement, diversity & inclusion at GastingerWalker& and an active member of AIA Kansas City, McCloud has led initiatives to increase EDI across industries in her region, with measurable results (see her opinion piece “Elevating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in America’s Heartland”). In this podcast episode, McCloud describes the necessary ingredients to make gains in EDI, establishing an open dialogue about tough topics, and how she hopes her job title will one day become irrelevant.

Episode 34: No Judgment Here: Starting the EDI Conversation, featuring Samantha McCloud, is also available on SoundCloud and on iTunes.

This podcast episode was produced by Wanda Lau, Lauren Honesty, and Daniel Tayag.

About the Author

Wanda Lau

Wanda Lau, LEED AP, is the former executive editor of ARCHITECT magazine. Along with 10 years of experience in architecture, engineering, and construction management, she holds a B.S. in civil engineering from Michigan State University, an S.M. in building technology from MIT, and an M.A. in journalism from Syracuse University's Newhouse School. Her work appears in several journals, books, and magazines, including Men's Health, ASID Icon, and University Business. Follow her on Twitter.

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