Building a Stronger Trade: The Vision for a Modern Masonry Industry

Words: Dan Kamys

The Equity & Vision

Look at any job site. What does the future of our trade look like? Who is leading it? If we want our industry to be stronger than it is today in 30 years, we need to answer that question with a real plan.

Our industry has a challenge. Our leadership and our workforce do not always reflect the communities we build. For our trade to grow, thrive, and attract the best new talent, that has to change. This is not about politics; it is about survival and strength.

The ReCastED program is our plan. It is our chance to build a more diverse, more resilient, and more powerful masonry industry for the future. And it is why your vote on November 12th is not just important, it is essential.

This is about our legacy. Register here to secure it, and make sure to VOTE live on November 12th at 6PM Eastern:
https://truist.cventevents.com/event/75a06907-aead-4afe-8751-5f2ae86cd6f8/regProcessStep1

The Future is in the Classroom
The future of the job site starts in the classroom. When students see instructors who look like them and come from their communities, it sends a powerful message: there is a place for you in this trade.

The research is clear, and our partners agree. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) supports this program specifically because it helps reflect our student population's broad demographic and cultural diversity. It brings new perspectives and new energy into our industry.

ReCastED is designed specifically to find skilled tradespeople from all backgrounds, especially women and people from underrepresented communities, and give them a direct pathway to become CTE instructors. This is how we start a ripple effect.

A Vote for a Stronger Future
This vision is not a dream. It is a strategic plan to ensure our trade remains essential. After hurricanes like Helene highlighted severe labor shortages in North Carolina, the need for a robust trades pipeline has never been more critical. Winning the "Fan Favorite" award gives us the power to build that pipeline.

A vote for The Masonry Foundation is a vote against stagnation. It is a vote to build a trade that is not just surviving, but leading.

We have a choice. We can let the future happen to us, or we can build it ourselves.

Step 1: Register. Secure your vote.
Step 2: Block Your Calendar. Wednesday, November 12th. Livestream starts at 6:00 PM ET.
Step 3: VOTE. For The Masonry Foundation and the future of our trade.

This is How We Build to Last. Click Here to Register:
https://truist.cventevents.com/event/75a06907-aead-4afe-8751-5f2ae86cd6f8/regProcessStep1


The Evolution of Brick Staining: From Color Complaints to Industry Essential
April 2026

Over thirty years ago, much of the conversation around brick staining centered on color complaints. In the early days, nearly all of our work stemmed from those situations, projects where something had gone wrong, and staining was brought in as a correcti

Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic