CTBUH Webinar: A Conversation with the CTBUH 2024 EDI Award Winner Team Members

On 7 February 2025, CTBUH spoke with the CTBUH 2024 EDI Award Winner team members from The Williams & Russell Project who were the overall winners of the CTBUH 2024 EDI Award. They highlighted key traits of the project, the submission process for this important awards category, and what it was like to attend and receive the award at the CTBUH Awards Ceremony. Additionally, jury members from the previous gave insight into the process of the awards program and how the varied submissions in this category are evaluated. The Williams & Russell Project aims to empower and honor Portland’s Black community by providing affordable housing, homeownership opportunities, and business support in a 1.7-acre block. Speakers included: Azalea Renfield, Executive Director of Williams & Russell CDC Kymberly Horner, Executive Director for Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives Bryson Davis, President of the Williams & Russell CDC Jeremy Mayhew, CTBUH EDI Committee, and EDI Awards Jury Meghan McDermott, (moderator), CTBUH EDI Committee Chair Will Miranda, Senior Research Manager, CTBUH This webinar was hosted by the CTBUH EDI Committee. CTBUH recognizes that to advance vertical urbanism and improve urban environments, we must address what that means for all people – our members, our clients, and ultimately to the wider public. We as an industry must hold ourselves accountable to encourage environments that are safer, healthier, and more accessible for everyone. To do so, we must recognize and actively address any shortcomings in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion.