Building Equality in Construction

Change Agents The Podcast

Produced by Leslie Hurtado | History shows that Chicago’s building trades have excluded construction workers of color. But the attention on George Floyd’s death three years ago inspired a movement toward racial justice everywhere, from schools to jobs. While some construction companies have made commitments to stopping racism and discrimination in the workplace, industry experts say more work needs to be done to build equity in construction. A nonprofit called Revolution Workshop is training emerging carpenters of color to repair the division and harm caused by the industry, but it will take more than training individuals to enter the workforce: it requires a continued fight with Chicago leaders to pass a construction ordinance focused on equity and inclusion. In this episode, we hear from Revolution Workshop alum Brittany Taylor and Parish Sloan share their experiences on facing racial discrimination and unjust working conditions in the industry.