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DEI A/E/C

Prosperity comes from diversity.

Research shows that firms with diverse experiences and perspectives seated around the table are more profitable. That’s why SMPS is continuously working to cultivate professionals with diverse expertise that are critical to sustaining a thriving industry.

The SMPS DEI Committee suggests initiatives and strategic objectives to the board of directors and staff to increase awareness of and support DEI for our membership, the marketing profession, and our members’ firms.

SMPS aspires to be a leader for our members, among our peer groups, and in our professional community. We will have diverse leadership structure, staff, and membership; we will create a supportive environment for people of color; we will offer tools to make change in our organization, profession, and industries.
Through our DEI initiatives SMPS is leading the way forward.

Meet the 2023-2024 committee

Upcoming DEI Townhall

Diversity Education Units

A Diversity Education Unit (DEU) is a vital measure of ongoing diversity education programs, aiding A/E/C professionals in skill building and fostering diversity and inclusion in their firms. The A/E/C industries are responsible for designing and building the world’s infrastructure. With Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) integrated strategically, A/E/C firms gain a competitive advantage in attracting talent, encouraging innovation, and growing their bottom line. A critical component of success when it comes to diversity and inclusion is continued learning.

  • Diverse perspectives foster the ability to meet the changing needs of the industry
  • Diversity allows us to think through challenges differently
  • Diversity is not just desirable; it is imperative to business

DEUs are awarded to those who complete training and education in DEI through the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) or their approved providers.

DEUs are essential to helping professionals stay current in DEI practices, and provide a standardized measurement of a professional’s engagement with an ongoing education program. Professionals that participate in these ongoing diversity education programs can expect to:

  • Improve problem-solving capabilities
  • Develop essential professional skills
  • Gain a competitive advantage for career advancement
  • Stay current on changing policies and laws
  • Embody the skills to improve team dynamics
  • Contribute to organizational success

*Diversity education units (DEUs) can be combined with continuing education units (CEUs) for professionals pursuing or maintaining their CPSM certification.

2024 Approved Providers

ElevateHER logo

Interested in offering CEUs and DEUs that support the Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) program? Visit the SMPS Approved Provider Program webpage to apply today.  

Our Action Plan

SMPS is dedicated to strengthening equitable and inclusive practices, and through the DEI Task Force and Society leadership, we will:

  • Develop and provide proper training materials, toolkits, and guides to encourage DEI, allyship, and relevant conversations for our chapters and members.
  • Provide resources and references from diverse individuals who can provide a different and profound perspective, especially in panels or speaking events, allowing others the chance to speak and engage audiences of their peers.
  • Cultivate exposure opportunities to enhance awareness of professional services marketing career paths for K-12, community colleges, and higher education institutions, targeting underrepresented groups.
  • Broaden recruitment, participation, retention, and involvement efforts to build a more engaged and inclusive network.
  • Identify research opportunities for the SMPS Foundation that support DEI competencies among professionals and firms.
  • Through the SMPS Foundation, provide $25,000 in scholarships to students from across the country attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to provide awareness and accessibility to the A/E/C industries. Scholarship recipients will receive mentorship, support, and access to SMPS programming through a student membership included as part of the scholarship award package.
  • Expand strategic partnerships with other A/E/C organizations and DEI entities that support this mission allowing us to fight in strength and numbers.

We recognize this effort is ongoing and that we are just beginning our journey to transformational change.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Philosophy & Policy

SMPS recognizes, respects, and values the dignity of all people. We are united in our stance against all forms of injustice and inequity. SMPS commits to actively champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our organization, the firms we represent, the communities we serve, and the architecture/engineering/construction (A/E/C) industries. We are intentionally working to increase participation in our organization and the A/E/C industries by underrepresented groups; advocate for recruitment and retention of professionals of all backgrounds by creating inclusive and welcoming environments; and promote equality and opportunities for advancement in the Society and industry overall. Together, we can transform our businesses, enhance membership experiences, and influence change in our communities.

We recognize that our diversity is reflected by our different people and firms. We believe our varying ethnicities, cultures, religious beliefs, genders, sexual orientations, ages, levels of experiences, physical abilities, and other differences benefit us as individuals and as an organization. In SMPS, we will organize and promote programs and activities that espouse our beliefs and increase awareness, understanding, recruitment, and participation of diverse persons and firms.

DEI Resource Library

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info@smps.org

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703.549.6117

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Alexandria, VA 22314-1936

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DEI + A/E/C: Accessibility in the Built Environment and Beyond

Check out the recording for the important discussion on accessibility.

We will:
  • Introduce the concept of technoableism, drawing from disability narrative.
  • Recognize the critical importance of disability expertise to architecture, building, and construction.
  • Contextualize our understanding of disability in history.
  • Discuss the intersectionality and diversity of experiences of being disabled — and importance of listening to cross-disability community.
  • Learn about planning for disability-forward futures.

About Ashley Shew
Ashley Shew is an associate professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Virginia Tech. She works in philosophy of technology, with emphasis on disability studies, animal studies, and emerging technologies and is particularly interested stories about humanity, technology, and disability. She is author of Animal Constructions and Technological Knowledge (2017) and Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement (2023). Her work has been featured in both scholarly journals and public-facing venues (and she’s been a guest on 12 different podcasts this past year :D). She is a proud founding member of both the Disability Alliance and Caucus at Virginia Tech and the Disability Resource Center of the New River Valley.

View the recording
Download the resources

JUNE 18 | PRIDE TALK FOR A/E/C MARKETERS: COMMUNICATING BEYOND 'REFERENCE MAN'

Nyasha Harper-Michon is a purpose-driven ‘Archtivist’—architect and activist—dedicated to fostering inclusive, just, and regenerative cities. She coined the term ‘Archtivist’ for architecture and built environment professionals and enthusiasts driving economic, environmental, and social reform to foster positive societal and sectoral changes. 

Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice Green, she creates content, advises, teaches, and serves on the WomenMakeTheCity board. With experience as an architect and strategic and business developer in international design studios, including UNStudio, Nyasha is a sought-after speaker on inclusion and sustainability within the built environment, notably delivering a keynote at the World Congress of Architects UIA Copenhagen 2023.

View the recording

2022 DEI + A/E/C Townhalls

January 30, 2023 | DEI+ A/E/C: Mental Health in the Workplace

Watch our DEI + A/E/C townhall from January 30, 2023, DEI+ A/E/C: Mental Health in the Workplace. Over the past couple of years, one thing has become increasingly clear. The importance of mental health awareness cannot be overstated. As we enter a new year, please join SMPS for our next DEI Townhall. We will learn about workplace trends, make the business case for supporting mental and physical health of employees, and reduce the stigma around mental health.

View the recording
Download the slides

THOUGHT LEADER

Keyona King-Tsikata, MPH

Keyona King-Tsikata, MPH, is Sr. Director of Health Equity and Access and Sr. Director of the Socioeconomic Status (SES) portfolio of the American Psychological Association. She is responsible for directing, overseeing, facilitating and promoting psychology’s contribution to 1) advancing health equity and access; and 2) the understanding of SES and the lives and well-being of low-income and economically disadvantaged populations. As such, Ms. King-Tsikata works to develop and facilitate relationships and activities to advance psychology as a major force in research, education, policy and advocacy related to Health Equity and SES. She received her B.S. in Health Science from the University of Florida and her MPH from University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health.

March 27, 2023 | DEI+ A/E/C: Mental Health in the Workplace - Part II

Due to an overwhelming response to the SMPS DEI + A/E/C Townhall on January 30, join us as we continue the conversation around Mental Health in the Workplace and Stopping the Stigma.

This program was moderated by SMPS DEI Committee Chair, Jennifer Nix McGerald, CPSM (she/her).

View the recording
Download the slides

THOUGHT LEADERS

Keyona King-Tsikata, MPH
Seth Kahan

Keyona King-Tsikata, MPH, is Sr. Director of Health Equity and Access and Sr. Director of the Socioeconomic Status (SES) portfolio of the American Psychological Association. She is responsible for directing, overseeing, facilitating and promoting psychology’s contribution to 1) advancing health equity and access; and 2) the understanding of SES and the lives and well-being of low-income and economically disadvantaged populations. As such, Ms. King-Tsikata works to develop and facilitate relationships and activities to advance psychology as a major force in research, education, policy and advocacy related to Health Equity and SES. She received her B.S. in Health Science from the University of Florida and her MPH from University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health.

Seth Kahan is widely recognized as being on the forefront of Visionary Leadership® and a trusted advisor to more than 100 association CEOs and world-class leaders like the president of the World Bank, director of the Peace Corps, and senior managers at Royal Dutch Shell, Seth Kahan is a sought-after business strategy specialist, respected thought leader, and convener on Grand Challenges. Today he leads the Grand Challenge to eliminate stigma around mental health and substance use disorders, supported by the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and spanning partners that include the Ad Council, Carter Center, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, Jed Foundation, Shatterproof, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Human Rights Campaign, SHRM Foundation, NAMI, and many others.

December 5, 2023 | DEI+ A/E/C: DEI Focus Group

Please join us December 5th to participate in a very important focus group on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. During this interactive session, members will be asked to weigh in on topics, share their challenges, and participate in discussion(s) to help inform the direction of the Society’s DEI efforts. As always, we endeavor to be a safe space where our members can be open to engage, listen, learn, and share.

Register now

October 10, 2023 | DEI+ A/E/C: Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace

On October 10, 2023, we held our DEI + A/E/C Townhall, DEI+ A/E/C: Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace. Attendees heard from thought leader, Kelly Green. This program was moderated by SMPS DEI Committee member James Kent.

View the recording

THOUGHT LEADERS

James Kent | Moderator
Thought Leader | Kelly Green

Kelly Green is a coach/consultant and evangelist of all things personal and professional branding! A Howard University alum and classmate of Sean “Diddy” Combs, her first big break in the music industry was interning for him at Bad Boy Records. Kelly worked her way up through the ranks of various record labels culminating in 2005 as Senior Director of Marketing at Universal Records. She has had the privilege of working with such groundbreaking artists as Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, The Notorious B.I.G. and has won numerous awards and accolades. Following a successful 15-year career in Music marketing, she launched her own Brand Strategy firm focused on growing small businesses and organizations. Inspired by her own personal journey living with multiple sclerosis, Kelly formed The Abilities WORKS! Project, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a more inclusive culture in employment, entertainment, and politics. Through training, consulting, and speaking, Kelly strives to help people with disabilities live a fuller more engaging life. She is currently writing her memoir, “Behind the SEEN” which chronicles her music career while battling the ups and downs of a chronic illness