The Maryland Minority Contractors Association has awarded Tia Perry, Associated Builders and Contractors’ director of inclusion, diversity and equity, its annual Professional Commitment Award. Perry was honored for her leadership connecting minority businesses with general contractors to help them win work and providing educational opportunities to minority businesses across the country.

“Advancing inclusion, diversity and equity in construction benefits the entire industry, and I will continue to work to strengthen IDE efforts through MMCA, ABC and the business community because work environments must be completely free of harassment, hate and bigotry of any kind,” Perry says. “The Professional Commitment Award is an honor, and I am thankful to ABC, our chapters and members, who helped make this possible. Strong IDE strategies in construction reinforce leadership’s commitment to putting the best talent on the field.”

“Our organization strives to assist minority companies in transforming their ideas, dreams and talents into tomorrow’s great businesses,” says Pless B. Jones Sr., president of the Maryland Minority Contractors Association. “Tia Perry has played a pivotal role in ensuring their voices are heard while helping to create an inclusive and culturally competent workforce.”

Perry is the staff liaison to ABC’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee, providing support, leadership and direction to the association’s education, awareness and business development practices. Perry also spearheads ABC’s Diversity Resource Groups, National Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Excellence Awards program and annual Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Summit. She recently completed the University of South Florida’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate Program.