Founded in 1979, the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) works to ensure equitable participation throughout the Chicago-area building industry. AIA honored the organization with the Whitney Young Award as a role model for professional groups assuming responsibility for social issues.

 

Originally created to combat discriminatory practices against Latino workers in construction, HACIA soon grew to embrace a wide range of issues and disciplines across the architecture and building industries. Through outreach, support, and seminars, the organization creates ongoing dialogues between its members and local community leaders, and helps to promote and protect diversity in the workforce.

 

While it represents the full scope of the building industry, HACIA maintains a commitment to advancing diversity throughout architecture. The organization’s scholarship foundation supports students of various backgrounds pursuing degrees in the building industry, with 75 percent of funds allocated for architecture. HACIA’s Professional Services Committee, meanwhile, represents scores of women- and minority-owned architecture firms. And through its partnership with AIA, the organization works to support diversity among local architectural leadership.