DIG Marks Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week

As a certified Minority-Owned (MBE) and Disadvantage-Owned (DBE) Business Enterprise, DIGroup Architecture (DIG) deploys its commitment to diversity, inclusion and sustainable solutions in the built environment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Holding the distinction as one of the region’s largest majority Black-owned architecture, interiors and environmental graphic design firms, DIG is marking Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week’s 39th year by highlighting how the built environment influences underserved communities throughout Greater Philadelphia while raising awareness among young people of color regarding architecture, construction, engineering (ACE) and STEM careers.

Created to bolster and encourage minority entrepreneurship by the city’s Office of Economic Opportunity, this year’s MED Week provides minority business owners with connections and resources to help them grow. This year’s Philadelphia MED Week theme is “It’s an Entrepreneur Thing: Shattering Barriers and Igniting Success.” 

“Since its inception, DIG has been empowering underserved populations and communities with our craft by creating purposeful, well-planned spaces and facilities for positive change and maximum impact for all,” said Vincent Myers, DIG president, principal and co-founder. “By extension, we also engage in advocacy and mentorship initiatives through our physical presence and shared experience that puts us in front of middle and high school and college students to alter their perception of what an architect, interior designer or graphic designer ‘looks like.’”

One example of DIG’s casting-of-a-wider-net on this front is its support of middle-to-high-school-age girls. During past summers, the firm has sponsored Philadelphia’s MyWIC (Mentoring Young Women in Construction) Annual Summer Camp. The program provides firsthand experiences to learn about the construction industry and be mentored by role models such as those at DIG, who help participants envision new career possibilities for themselves.

Steadfast in supporting and expanding upon these mentorship initiatives, DIG’s professionals get in front of minority young people and women through the ACE Mentor Program; guest speaking engagements at local high schools and colleges/universities; serving as panelists to discuss diversity in architecture; participating in STEM and construction-related events; and outreach within the communities in which DIG projects are located.

“The more times young people experience visibility, leadership and representation, the greater the likelihood they will consider a career in an ACE and/or STEM field and be part of changing the trajectory of underrepresentation,” added Myers.

Since opening its Philadelphia office in 2019, DIG has continued to deploy its “Architecture for Change” axiom with the inception/delivery of several projects in and around the city and being appointed Architect of Record for a number of others.

Among the latter is the $13.2 million reconstruction of Paschalville Public Library (Southwest Philadelphia) and strategic campus planning at the Budd BioWorks Campus (North Philadelphia). Other assignments include the School District of Philadelphia, Drexel University, Cheyney University, The Enterprise Center, PIDC and the Bellwether District through Hilco Redevelopment Partners.

Furthermore, DIG is dedicated to building diversity from within that reflects equity and inclusion values in its day-to-day business practices. In addition to appointing its first minority female to the role of principal in 2022, DIG raises others up through sustainable business hiring and promotion.

“We recognize that underrepresentation within our own profession limits inclusiveness and creativity of the built environment, particularly those spaces in communities where architecture and design have the power to enrich and strengthen,” said Myers. “DIG has embraced the fact that much more work has yet to be done in our own industry and greater society, and we will continue to do our part to close the equity gap through physical space and sustainable business practices.”