Julian Allen: Being Constantly Curious for Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions and history of Black people in the U.S. Officially recognized at the federal level in 1976, Black History Month encourages us to honor the legacy of Black people throughout U.S. history, from activists and leaders to artists and creatives.
“I celebrate Black history every single day, and I appreciate Black History Month as an opportunity to be intentional about celebration and education,” said Julian Allen, business development director, Construction.
Julian joined McKinstry eight years ago as a marketing specialist. In his current role, he represents McKinstry’s brand in the market by managing key accounts for the Oregon New Construction Mechanical team.
In addition, Julian was one of the founding members of McKinstry’s Unity Alliance and is passionate about giving back to his community.
“In November 2024, we launched our first Unity Alliance Month of Service, where we partnered with food and mutual aid organizations that give back to community members and people of color in need,” Julian said. “I’m so proud of the impact we were able to create through that initiative. I’ve also been involved with the Boys and Girls Club of America since I was a little kid, as a coach, mentor, and counselor. It’s a great organization that lifts up young kids who get left behind, often from minority communities.”
Celebration and Education during Black History Month
Julian encourages people to approach Black History Month with curiosity about the range of black experience — the struggles, but perhaps most importantly, the contributions of Black people.
“There are so many online and local resources that can help us learn about Black history,” Julian said. “It can be intimidating to look at Black history as a whole, but isolating your initial search to your city, county, or state is a good place to start. When I first moved to Portland, I discovered that it has lots of Black history to explore. For example, Albina, one of Portland’s neighborhoods, is historically Black and has a fascinating history I didn’t know about until I started digging. That led me to the 1803 Fund, which is working to invest social and financial resources in strengthening Albina and Portland’s Black community.”
Due to racism and systemic oppression, many periods of Black history highlight the injustice and violence inflicted upon the Black community. While it is important to understand all aspects of Black history, Julian believes that only associating Black history with struggle in the long term can be harmful.
“I like to think of Black History Month as a time to reflect on all aspects of Black history, especially Black joy and Black excellence,” Julian shared. “Black people have invented new technologies, shaped our literature and art, and developed new ways of thinking and operating that are still used today. The Harlem Renaissance is one of my favorite periods of Black history because of its rich literature, music, and philosophy. If you’re looking for great art and content to explore from Black history, you can’t go wrong with the Harlem Renaissance.”
Books, documentaries, podcasts, and exhibits, both virtual and in-person, are a great place to start with self-education. Julian has a favorite book he turns to every February.
“Every year, I find time to reread Martin Luther King, Jr.’s book Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” Julian said. “It’s his reflection on the Civil Rights Movement and how we can build more unity in the future. Reading his reflections is a sobering experience, and it’s a great reminder to remain hopeful during times of harsh change. So many of his words still ring true today.”
Julian also encourages people to research what’s happening in their area and get involved.
“Many communities host events, like film festivals or lectures, during Black History Month,” Julian said. “It’s also a great opportunity to engage with Black-owned businesses or organizations that bring Black creatives together. They’re really the heart of the Black community.”
Addressing Inequity by Leading with Accountability
Julian notes that despite periods of progress, systemic inequity persists in nearly every aspect of society. He’s proud to work for a company that understands the need to take ownership and accountability as it addresses inequities in our industry and communities. McKinstry’s Action for Impact plan underscores the importance of doing our part to break down barriers of systemic inequity and racism to create opportunity for advancement.
“A lot of the systems in our world that fail do so because they are biased,” Julian shared. “Diversity of thought and perspective gives us the best chance for success and a positive impact. We can do that by including a variety of voices, encouraging a sense of belonging, and actively listening and seeking to understand other’s perspectives.”
Julian believes curiosity and stepping out of your comfort zone is the first step to enacting real change.
“It’s easy to get used to your own routine of associating with people that look, sound, and think like you,” he said. “Take a moment to step out of your day-to-day world and seek to understand the lives and cultures of others. Be willing to have an open mind and leave your lived experience behind to appreciate someone else’s.”
One of the ways McKinstry is working to champion the success of people of color is through our Vendor Diversity program, which increases opportunities for minority owned, women owned, and other disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBE). Additionally, our ScaleUp program in which Julian has been an instructor, connects MWDBE business leaders with McKinstry advisors to harness their business development skills.
“Through these programs, we actively partner with Black-owned businesses by lifting them up, bringing them to the table, and helping them get the resources they need to thrive,” Julian shared. “We’re able to remove common barriers for small businesses, which makes a direct impact. Here in Portland, we’re also partnering with the National Society of Black Engineers to bring STEM opportunities to students and empower the next generation of Black STEM leaders. These are just some of the many ways we’re working to uplift the Black community and people of color in our communities and industry.”
Julian encourages people to do their part to promote racial equity and justice in their communities, and personally leans into one of McKinstry’s values, Be Constantly Curious.
“Empathy is a skill we refine every day, and it requires curiosity and the willingness to ask questions and listen,” Julian said. “Start by learning about your community, both its history and its present. Leverage your curiosity and knowledge to engage at the local level. Collective action builds momentum, and we can go so much further when we work together.”
