When I started PEOPLE in February 2014, I was asked by various leaders in the industry what would be my ultimate goal, what would define success, how would I know when I reached success and my mission was accomplished? 

For some reason which I now do not remember, I was running around town looking for support for my PEOPLE gathering idea.  I was told that before starting, I should outline agendas for my next several meetings so I would have some sort of path I am following.  The PEOPLE in our industry would need a reason to attend my meetings.

My simple response at the time was that PEOPLE would be a different type of networking event.  I was not trying to compete with other networking events or organizations.  I did not want to be considered an “organization”, I simply wanted to fill a room with PEOPLE…all sorts of PEOPLE.  There would be no agendas, no speakers, no awards, no solid business reason to come. 

At the time, I didn’t even have an agenda for the first meeting, let alone the next dozen meetings.  I was content to let those attending, should anyone attend, define the agenda for the next meeting.  My very simple goal was to get as many of the minority contracting community in a room with as many of the majority contractors I could muster up and introduce one to the other.  Let’s get to know each other, shake each other’s hands, sit at each other’s table, tell stories of the past, share dreams of the future.  Let us all find a way to work together.  Let’s keep this simple—it is not complicated, we are all just PEOPLE.

I thought about the question of what success would look like.  How would I know if PEOPLE was successful?  The answer in my mind was that if I attended an industry networking event in the future, I wanted to see the room filled with women business owners and PEOPLE of color.  I wanted the room to look like a PEOPLE meeting, fifty percent minority, fifty percent majority, all sharing tables, food, and drink together.  All participating equally, all feeling welcome, all receiving awards, giving out awards, making speeches, all in the mix.

I walked out of the Construction Forum Awards luncheon event on Thursday feeling, after twelve years, that PEOPLE has been successful. I loved the makeup of that room.  I loved the welcoming atmosphere of that room.  PEOPLE of all races sharing success together.  Twelve years ago I could have counted the PEOPLE of color and the women business owners participating in an event using the fingers on one hand.  On Thursday, I didn’t even try to count, there was no reason to count.  

This may sound like I am wanting all the credit.  I do not.  We all did this together.  Congratulations to our industry, we can change, we can accept, we can welcome diversity. 

I get asked all the time when and where is the next PEOPLE meeting?  My response will now be that PEOPLE meetings are happening every week throughout the industry.  Attend a Forum event.  Attend a SLC3 event.  Attend an ASA event.  Get out and about, PEOPLE meetings are everywhere.

“When PEOPLE gather and mix, fear and uncertainty turn into understanding and acceptance, ideas are born, challenges become opportunities, and success rises to the top.”  PEOPLE motto