CEO Note: A Message on Social Responsibility

Of all that Martin Luther King has left us, this simple quote has always struck me as one of his most powerful. Its simple math reminds us that we all have a social responsibility — to lift up, to correct injustice, to commit to making the world a better place. And to continue to learn, however and wherever we can. Exactly how we do that, of course, is the trick; but my sense is that it starts within ourselves and grows outward to include our families and friends, and, ultimately, our communities and society as a whole.

Here at RSP, we know we play a meaningful role in our communities as we build on the steps and initiatives we’ve begun. Partnerships, like the one we have with Summit Academy, offer a great prototype, sparking a love of design and architecture among under-served middle schoolers and opening doors to a new generation of creative thinkers and problem solvers. The progress is incremental and ongoing, but real. We’re playing the long game; and that’s often how change happens.

Today, as we observe Dr. King’s birthday, let’s never lose sight of that “big change” but let’s also not forget our focus on the immediate—the importance of reaching out, listening, and supporting one another. Yes, these are challenging times, but Dr. King’s legacy has always been one of resilience, hope and justice. I can’t think of a better model for living one’s life or a better roadmap for our practice.

If you’d like to get involved, visit the King Center or the Center for Racial Justice in Education.And I encourage everyone at RSP to support the work of our EDI group.

                                                                                          — David C Norback AIA