Hi there,

In honor of Black History Month, and an in an effort to promote positive responses to the current social climate, we decided to make diversity the focus of the inaugural issue of our quarterly newsletter.

Urban GIS is an industry-leading infrastructure-focused GIS firm. As a minority-owned small business committed to excellence, we strive to build long-lasting relationships through innovative services and client satisfaction. We harness the power of where to map your world, your way.

Understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.

Esri Partner Advisory Committee (PAC) - Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee

The Esri PAC was created in 2011 and is made up of business executives who were selected based on their exceptional leadership qualities. As catalysts for improvements and assistants to the ongoing development of the Esri Partner Network, PAC members serve as representatives of the entire Esri Partner & Alliance channel. They look for opportunities to engage fellow partners while sharing their experiences and recommendations to drive mutually beneficial improvements to the program.

Co-chaired by Urban GIS' CEO Keith Searles, the D&I PAC subcommittee is new this year and was developed to support key diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives across the partner community. Their primary focus is to enhance diversity and inclusion within the partner program and PAC, while simultaneously aspiring to positively impact the entire geospatial community.

On a separate but related note, Urban GIS' CEO has established a group called EDGE (Ethnically Diverse Geospatial Engagement) to expand economic opportunities and exposure to the geospatial industry for undeserved communities.

We welcome you to send any concerns, ideas, inquiries and recommendations regarding the the PAC D&I subcommittee or EDGE via email to info@urbangis.com.

We also invite you to join the EDGE website and LinkedIn Group.

Urban GIS Featured in ArcNews Winter 2021!

The Chicago Park District, which owns, maintains, and manages the majority of the Chicago lakefront, is developing a long-term plan to help guide investment in lakefront repair and maintenance and increase the area’s resilience. Urban GIS is proud to have been featured with the Park District and Smith Group in the Winter 2021 edition of ArcNews.

Read more on how Urban GIS helped the Chicago Park District click here.

Living Legend, Melvin Searles

In celebration of Black History Month, we thought we would take a moment to recognize a living legend within the black community. He's a Chicago native, DePaul University Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee and all American collegiate tennis player in a time when there was very limited diversity within the sport. He's a motivational speaker, civil rights pioneer and author. And he also happens to be the father of our CEO Keith Searles!

Here's our exclusive interview and feature on the legendary Melvin Searles.

Business Diversity Survey

Do you work for a firm or organization that occasionally seeks the professional services of a minority or woman owned geospatial companies?

If so, we would love to get your thoughts on this subject in an effort to determine what solutions can be brought forth to enhance partnerships, increase diverse firm utilization and optimize collective value propositions. We want to gain insight into the issues you and others you know are facing so that we can support policies, programs and solutions that will benefit a wide range of stakeholders within all aspects of business diversity.

Please take our short survey today.

Take the Survey

Ethnically Diverse Geospatial Engagement

We established a LinkedIn Group that is focused on enabling networking and sharing opportunities, enlightenment for underrepresented professionals and aspirants of geospatial career fields.

One does not need to be of an ethnically diverse background to join the group presuming one's intent is to join is to share information with ethnically diverse members.

This group specifically invites input from the geospatial community regarding: job opportunities, contract opportunities internships, conferences, scholarships, key industry awareness items and any other information pertinent to keeping members well informed and engaged.

If you're interested to join, here's the link to the group.

Bootcamp GIS is a program for current students, new grads, and existing professionals that connects you to online industry experts that teach you how to build enterprise level projects. Learn marketable geospatial skills, project management, and about the culture of an organization.

Bootcamp GIS is looking for ethnically diverse SMEs who want to coauthor shortcourses in this platform.

If you are, or if you know someone who will be a great fit, you can contact Bootcamp GIS' founder Andres Abeyta at: aabeyta@bootcampgis.com.

Bootcamp GIS site: http://bootcampgis.com/

Apple launches inaugural Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders and Developers

Former Urban GIS intern David Alston has been chosen as one of only a select few entrepreneurial software developers worldwide for Apple's groundbreaking diversity initiative.

David founded and built his Kickstroid app for sneaker enthusiasts to find their favorite shoes and connect with other sneaker heads around the world.

Three Principles for Inclusive Leadership

Shundrawn A. Thomas serves as President of Northern Trust Asset Management. This long time friend and advisor to Urban GIS recently wrote an article titled Three Principles for Inclusive Leadership where he outlined leadership principles and associated tactics that increase diverse representation, expand equity and enhance inclusion.

Read it here.