National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time when people recognize and celebrate the contributions that Hispanic and Latino individuals have made to the country. Lawrence Group is honoring this important month by highlighting the achievements of our employees.
Kalia Choi, Design Professional
What does National Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
It is a celebration of everyday life for me. I am very grateful for my family’s teachings in connection to my culture. It is also a time to be more reflective of my history from both sides of my family. I think about where my family has come from and where we are today. I reflect on the personal and professional accomplishments my family has made and I am beyond proud. There is never a moment in life where I don’t recognize or feel Hispanic.
Your favorite quote:
My favorite poem is called “Negra Soy” by Mary Grueso Romero. In this powerful poem, Mary Grueso Romero shares her experiences as being Hispanic of black descendent. In Mary’s poem, she questions why she is being called ‘Negra’ in terms of endearment. We have a history of black culture being demonized – but in reality, it makes each individual powerful. This poem resonates with me because it truly shows the diversity of my culture.
What do you love most about being a Design Professional?
I often work with some of the new, younger teammates in my role. I believe representation is important and it’s important to have diversity on the front page. I encourage newcomers to stay true to themselves as they navigate their new role and workplace; you don’t have to blend in to be a part of the organization. While I love being in Design, this aspect of my role also gives me great satisfaction.
What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career that has been integral to your professional success?
One lesson I’ve learned is to ignore this idea of what was supposed to happen and keep pushing towards what you want to happen. I encourage myself to keep going with the reminder that I am here to succeed for myself despite the pressures around me.
What positives or challenges have you noticed in the professional world relating to your Hispanic/Latinx identity?
It’s been a new and positive experience to be able to share my insight. I hope to continue to hear about the various journeys within the organization. It can be challenging to embrace traits that may present overly “Hispanic”. Because I choose to be who I am and a representative of where I come from, I also need to be mindful and respectful of how people absorb it.
What direction would you give someone who wants to help honor National Hispanic Heritage Month and/or who is interested in becoming an ally or advocate for the Hispanic/Latinx community?
Immerse yourself in the culture. If you have friends who are Hispanic, go to their family’s home and have dinner with them, celebrate with them.
Esteban Barrera, Design Professional
What does National Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
It’s an opportunity to celebrate, honor, and reflect on the achievements and contributions of Latinx individuals in various fields, including architecture, and to showcase the resilience and creativity of our communities.
Your favorite quote:
One of my favorite quotes is by the renowned Mexican architect, Luis Barragán: “I believe in an emotional architecture.” It emphasizes the importance of creating spaces that evoke emotions and connect with people.
What do you love most about being a Design Professional?
The opportunity to transform abstract ideas into tangible, functional, and aesthetically pleasing spaces. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see a design concept evolve into a physical structure that can positively impact people’s lives, whether it’s a home, a public building, or a community space.
What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career that has been integral to your professional success?
I’ve learned several valuable lessons that have been integral to my professional success, but for me collaboration is key. Working effectively with diverse teams, clients, and contractors is essential for delivering successful projects.
What positives or challenges have you noticed in the professional world relating to your Hispanic/Latinx identity?
I would say that the positive is that my identity brings a unique cultural perspective to my work and has enriched my design sensibilities. A challenge is that there is still a lack of representation of Latinx architects at higher levels within the architecture industry. This can limit opportunities for mentorship and career advancement.
What direction would you give someone who wants to help honor National Hispanic Heritage Month and/or who is interested in becoming an ally or advocate for the Hispanic/Latinx community?
Take the time to learn about the diverse cultures, histories, and issues facing Hispanic and Latinx communities. Listen to the experiences and perspectives of Latinx individuals. In your workplace or industry, advocate for diversity and inclusivity. If you don’t already speak Spanish, consider learning it.
Marco Cue, Design Professional
What does National Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
It seems to me Hispanic Heritage Month is more about honoring traditions and roots of Americans with Hispanic backgrounds, and although I am an American by my mother (who has born and raised in the US), I was born and raised in Mexico and fully identify as a Mexican with perhaps some American background. I have lived in the US for two years now and many traditions such as Hispanic Heritage Month are new to me. I’ve found it interesting to in learn more about what the tradition means in the U.S.
What do you love most about being a Design Professional?
I love the variety of experiences I’ve gained. I fell into my passion for design by working in commercial and residential and I couldn’t be happier.
What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career that has been integral to your professional success?
Being flexible and adaptable to change to meet the needs of clients. The way architecture is done in the U.S. is very different from the way it is done in Mexico. This was a pivotal learning moment in my career; however, My creativity has allowed me the space to continue developing different skill sets.
What positives or challenges have you noticed in the professional world relating to your Hispanic/Latinx identity?
I have always acknowledged a privilege that I had in Mexico and now in the U.S because my physical features do not resemble what the average person would correlate with someone who is Mexican. I do not believe I have ever been treated differently because of my identity. Having a different background as well as professional experience from another country helps me approach design challenges with a different perspective to that of someone raised and professionally developed in the U.S.
What direction would you give someone who wants to help honor National Hispanic Heritage Month and/or who is interested in becoming an ally or advocate for the Hispanic/Latinx community?
We are all unique in our own way (There are various differences between different Latin backgrounds, Mexicans might be the largest Latino community but certainly not the only one or the one to set the standard of Latino identity) , so I encourage anyone who is interested in learning more to get to know the culture and learn to understand it. Family relationships, cultural traditions and expressing our culture through our gastronomy are the most important ways in which we Mexicans honor our culture.
Angel Semper, Design Professional
What does National Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
I truly appreciate the idea of this special month. It is humbling to know that my culture is being recognized. The Hispanic and Latin is a community that is growing, and I am proud there is a month to recognize our history and achievements.
What is your favorite quote?
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs.
I love this quote because every day I strive to live true to my identity.
What do you love most about being a Design Professional?
I love what I do because it is fun and collaborative. As a Design Professional, my superpower is understanding the needs of the clients and translating that into a tangible design that they love.
What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career that has been integral to your professional success?
You can always take negative experiences and turn them into something positive to help people grow.
What positives or challenges have you noticed in the professional world relating to your Hispanic/Latinx identity?
Sometimes organizations are so focused on meeting recruiting and hiring diversity metrics, that it does a disservice to qualified individuals. A Hispanic person can sometimes be seen as a token – not because of their skillset and experiences, but simply because of their race/ethnicity. When employers hire someone solely to meet a number, they are taking away opportunities from someone who is truly qualified and deserve the opportunity. I want to be a part of a team that values my skills and experiences and know that I was chosen because of the positive contributions I make to the team.
What direction would you give someone who wants to help honor National Hispanic Heritage Month and/or who is interested in becoming an ally or advocate for the Hispanic/Latinx community?
I would encourage them to get to know the culture. We are rich in traditions, and we are always happy to know when someone is interested in learning more. I would also encourage them to do their research. Learn the distinction between Hispanic and Latino. You can’t advocate from a place of ignorance, so do your part.
Leo Sanchez, Design Professional
What does National Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
National Hispanic Heritage Month has always meant a month to give recognition to Hispanics to celebrate history, heritage, and culture.
What is your favorite quote?
I don’t have a favorite quote, but there are several Hispanic Architects that I would love to highlight. Luis Barragan, Tatiana Bilbao, Oscar Niemeyer and Felix Candela. These Architects have had a great influence on my work.
What do you love most about being a Design Professional?
I truly enjoy the learning and creativity aspect of being an Architect. The field brings a different set of challenges each day and things are constantly changing. My innate desire to learn makes this exciting for me.
What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career that has been integral to your professional success?
There is a very little room for making mistakes in the field of Architecture, so staying organized has been key to my professional success. Also, while Architecture may seem like an individual job, collaboration and having the full force of the team is incredibly valuable.
What positives or challenges have you noticed in the professional world relating to your Hispanic/Latinx identity?
As an Architect, you design to enhance other’s lives. My Hispanic background has brought a unique perspective to the industry and has created a positive experience for me. Mexican Architecture has been my biggest influence in how I design. It has its own style, and with Mexico being in close proximity to Austin, the designs often overlap, and the art is well received. Through my Hispanic culture and perspective, I can bring sculptural element and colors back into Mexican Architecture and express this through my designs.
What direction would you give someone who wants to help honor National Hispanic Heritage Month and/or who is interested in becoming an ally or advocate for the Hispanic/Latinx community?
Attend cultural centers and events that are happening in their local community. I would also encourage anyone who is interested in learning more to connect with Hispanic and Latino people that they know. Our culture is very warm and welcoming, and we are very hospitable. When you share that you want to learn more, we are usually happy to invite you in.