WASHINGTON, D.C., June 2—Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced that Dr. Ben Carson, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will deliver the keynote address at its annual Diversity & Inclusion Summit, June 19-20 in Washington, D.C. The summit is part of ABC Legislative Week, which also features legal and legislative updates, meetings with lawmakers and political advocacy sessions for ABC Young Professionals.

Secretary Carson will address ABC’s third annual gathering of industry leaders and key stakeholders who understand the value of diversity in construction and whose goal is to help promote the association's mission within diverse groups. Past speakers at the event include representatives from Apple, DuPont, FedEx, Johnson Controls and Walmart.

“Associated Builders and Contractors members believe that they deliver the most value to their clients when they are able to put the best team on the playing field regardless of their background,” said ABC President and CEO Michael Bellaman. "Construction provides a tremendous path to well-paying careers and ABC is very proud of the $1.1 billion our members spend annually to train our skilled workforce and help create career opportunities for Americans from all walks of life. We are excited to have a speaker as accomplished as Secretary Carson address our members, and look forward to a great discussion with leaders from throughout our community about how to ensure our industry is attractive to our country’s entire talent pool.”

The summit is part of ABC’s diversity and inclusion framework, which also includes Diversity Resource Groups and National Diversity Excellence Awards. ABC was founded on the merit shop philosophy, which values open and fair competition among diverse participants in a free-market economy. ABC members are committed to achieving a fully inclusive and culturally competent workforce that is welcoming to all people, where employees and suppliers are limited only by their own potential.

Dr. Carson will speak to summit attendees at 9:30 a.m. on June 20 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Members and nonmembers can find more information or register for ABC’s Diversity & Inclusion Summit at diversitysummit.abc.org. The $150 registration fee covers the entire two-day program.

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