Black History Month in Construction: Expanding Opportunity and Building a More Inclusive Industry  

By: Shekinah Fountain, Sr. Inclusion and Community Impact Lead 

Black workers have played a critical role in building America’s infrastructure, cities and communities. From roads and bridges to hospitals, schools and commercial buildings, their craftsmanship and labor have helped shape the physical foundation of our nation. Yet for much of our history, those contributions have gone unrecognized. Black History Month offers an important opportunity to acknowledge that legacy and reflect on its lasting impact on the construction industry today. 

While we honor the past, we must also confront the present. Construction continues to face significant workforce challenges. At the same time, Black representation in the skilled trades and in leadership roles remains limited across much of our industry. Expanding access to careers in construction is not only an economic priority, it is a community priority. When opportunity grows, so does the strength and resilience of the communities we help build. 

This month at The Weitz Company, our focus was on intentional action. We listened to the voices and experiences of our team members. We created space to learn more about the history of Black professionals in construction and the systemic barriers that have shaped today’s workforce landscape. We prioritized visibility and awareness, recognizing that understanding is a necessary step toward meaningful progress. 

Our commitment extends beyond a single month. The future of construction depends on creating clear and accessible pathways for people from all backgrounds to see this industry as a place where they can succeed. That includes supporting workforce development efforts, strengthening relationships with schools and community organizations and exploring partnerships that expand the skilled trades. Even informal conversations and mentorship can spark interest and open doors. 

If you are interested in a career in construction, we encourage you to explore opportunities on Weitz’s careers page. If you represent a school, workforce program or community organization and are looking to collaborate, we welcome the connection. Progress requires industry-wide commitment. 

Honoring Black history means more than recognition. It means expanding opportunity and building an industry that reflects the communities it serves.