A word of thanks to the people at Technorati for helping to spread the word about MinorityConstruction.org.

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Thought it might be a good idea to offer a word of reassurance. Our members will notice a new login link. Yes, this is a legitimate change to the site and it does belong there. We made the change to add the option to login using your email address, a popular feature on many membership websites. So use it in good health.

Hats off to Professor Richard Hartman for his noble effort to find the graves of many of those African Americans who perished as they built a three-mile tunnel under Gauley Mountain. Sent to their deaths in the hundreds, in the midst of ongoing horror and inhumanity, they toiled on, these remarkable construction workers, and succeeded in their task.

Professor Hartman's efforts allow us all to lay virtual wreaths on those several dozen graves that he recently uncovered, a poignant and fitting way to close out this Black History Month, in tribute to all those who made this incredible sacrifice.

Just some thoughts about what we're doing with the news here so you can get the most out of it.

As you can see by browsing through the headlines, we're covering a broad range of issues regarding minorities and the construction industry. We're not just looking at business issues, though that's primarily our focus; we're also looking at other ways minorities effect and are effected by the industry. The Houston family lawsuit is a good case in point, as well as the piece on house building for immigrant residents, and the one on the restoration of a civil rights era landmark. Our hope is to give a broader view of what construction means with respect to minorities. It's not just about jobs and a paycheck.

But, there's nothing wrong with a job and a paycheck. So, we hope the news also sparks ideas for those as well. Like the new regulation in Baltimore means firms in the region (and beyond perhaps) might want to look into opportunties there. New minority-focused agencies gearing up in New Jersey and Delaware mean that new doors are opening for those who knock. And notice that in the Wilson Goode article, he said he didn't think the Convention Center's minority-inclusion goals could be met without firms and labor from outside of Philadelphia (not to disrespect the rights of local minorities to get their rightful share of work in their own backyard).

M. Stan Reaves, webmaster

It's a pleasure and an honor to make MinorityConstruction a place where folks can connect, enrich and entertain themselves, and help to meaningfully impact this industry. We hope to meet and exceed your expectations in as many respects as possible. We trust you will bear with us as we undertake this mutual endeavor and enjoy the journey with us.