Home Subscriber Only Cover Story Diversity elusive in construction

Diversity elusive in construction

By Emily Gowdey-Backus

CHANGING INDUSTRY: Cheryl Burrell, right, associate director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity in the R.I. Department of Administration, is heading the state’s efforts to further diversify the construction industry. At left are Dorinda Keene, assistant administrator of MBE, or minority business enterprise, and Elvys Ruiz, chief supplier to diversity officer.
 / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
CHANGING INDUSTRY: Cheryl Burrell, right, associate director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Opportunity in the R.I. Department of Administration, is heading the state’s efforts to further diversify the construction industry. At left are Dorinda Keene, assistant administrator of MBE, or minority business enterprise, and Elvys Ruiz, chief supplier to diversity officer.
 / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

White men still dominate construction, though some companies are committed to changing that Born to immigrant families struggling to get by in Providence, Edwin A. Montas and Christopher L. Calderon had a lot in common growing up. Similarly devoted to math, drawing and their communities, each dreamed of careers that prioritized their interests. Though job

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