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Sustainable Design Collaborative Atlanta has been a partnership of volunteers for since 2011 and served as leaders from each of our respective trade organizations. I have read all of the respective trade organizations ‘statements of purpose’ on the recent events and would be in grave error to try to write something more meaningful and/or eloquent than those. 
What I will offer you is to remind you of something we have always been successful at – understanding the full power of the word Sustainable. We have always taught ourselves to expand the meaning of that word from design to connections to community and held each other accountable in that goal. It is prudent now that we remember that Sustainable also carries with it the characteristics of diversity, equity, unity and kindness. 
In that line of thinking, I would expect that all of you will use your voice of leadership in your sphere of influence with both colleagues and friends to champion how our brand of Sustainable can be a part of your conversations. Use your voice to clearly identify problems and then craft complete solutions that enable those around you to do more, do better and do the most good. We at SDCA are all continually growing and learning. In an effort to lead with action and support, we will strive to take action on the areas listed below to continue leading through an expanding inclusive, diverse, and equity-driven approach. We will:

• Prioritize diversity in our board representatives.
• Ensure project teams are composed of members of diverse backgrounds and in keeping with our inclusive approach.
• Ensure leadership positions in project teams are composed of diverse members representing a range of race, preference, age and professional background.
• Honor the cultural and historical significance of each organization we support by including this representation of information in our project deliverables, education, and outreach of the project.

“Information developed becomes knowledge – Knowledge with experience becomes wisdom
– Wisdom results in a better built (Sustainable) environment. [CSI PDPG 2018]”

Thank You.