Architecture is Political (Melissa Daniel)

Rochelle Mills, President and Chief Executive Officer of Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO), shares her journey of persistence in pursuing her career goals despite facing multiple obstacles along the way. She talks about how she learned to overcome rejection and failure, and the importance of perseverance in achieving success. She also talks about the importance of continuous learning and personal growth in leadership.

Rochelle Mills brings a diverse background, including architecture, community planning, and program development to IHO. She is responsible for overseeing the growth and implementation of IHO’s vision, portfolio, and long-term impact. Before joining IHO, she was a partner in Mills Studio, a design firm, and the founding director of Architours, a boutique cultural tourism company—both companies received international acclaim. An active volunteer, Rochelle was appointed to the South Los Angeles Area Planning Commission and the Crenshaw Community Design Review Board, and has served as past president of SCANPH and the Association for Women in Architecture. She currently serves on the boards of CAL-ALHFA, and Arts for LA, and is a sought-after speaker. Rochelle received the Superior Performance in Real Estate (SPIRE) “Outstanding Woman in CRE” Award, “Women of the Year” Award honoring exceptional women in the 46th Congressional District, and Bisnow’s “Power Women in LA” honor.

The mission of Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO) is to enrich communities by providing high-quality affordable housing, where residents can thrive, develop healthy habits, and achieve success and stability. IHO’s California development portfolio provides housing to a wide variety of residents, including seniors, families, foster youth, veterans, those living with mental illness, formerly homeless, developmentally disabled, and other special needs and mixed populations. Formed in 1976 to help business and government address the lack of low- to moderate-income housing in the City of Irvine, IHO is now working throughout California in strategic partnerships that creatively and effectively maximize efficiencies while achieving the most attractive and well-managed environments for residents and for the surrounding communities. Here are links to IHO’s social channels:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ihoinc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iho_inc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IHO_inc

This is a bonus episode of Kathryn Prigmore. The audio was taken from a 2013 presentation she did for the Women in Architecture Lecture Series.  Thank you to our sponsor, Smartsheet for Architects. Use the promo code Archispolly to receive 10% off. https://www.smartsheet4architects.com/ Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis!

‘Decolonise Architecture’ is a collective of students and alumni from the University of Bath driven to tackle institutional racism within architecture and its education.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decolonisearchitecture/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decolonise-architecture-uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DecoloniseArch

TANYARADZWA CHIGANZE (@Tanya.etc_) Background: Zimbabwean and Welsh. Architectural education needs to acknowledge its role in shaping society and the barriers students may face as a result of it being an exclusive profession. In order to give our global student population a holistic and empowering format of education, it must challenge the consequences of white privilege and shift away from eurocentricism.

JASMINE LAWRENCE (@Luceaalawrence) Background: British and Caribbean. Throughout my time in architectural education, it has become increasingly apparent that architecture is far from a level playing field. I feel ever  more fortunate to have studied it in a top university as a minority ethnic and want to help make this change so that this is not such a special circumstance in education or in practice.

MOHIT  BUCH (@Mohitbuch) Background: Indian and British. Learning about the ways in which different cultures have adapted to their conditions and climates will only make you a better architect and your designs more responsive.

HARSHA GORE (@harshag_) Background: Indian and Swiss. Much of the world today faces the lasting repercussions of dominating Western practices and media. We cannot change what we look like or where we come from - so it is our responsibility to make the world a more equal place, one reflective of our ethnic and traditional cultures.

Not on the call
KYALE MAKAU MWENDWA Background: Kenyan. Architecture education can be seen as particularly isolating for minority ethnic students, even when compared to the already skewed number for higher education in general. I believe that by celebrating POC architects, we can give minority students the courage and confidence that is indeed possible to break through the glass ceiling.

FLORA JING LIN NG (@atelier.fn) Background: Singaporean and Chinese. Providing a platform for underrepresented groups to share knowledge and discuss their architecture in a very crowded Eurocentric room. The architectural culture is changing, and we have a chance here to do the right thing.

This tech episode talks about the different ways architecture firms (or any business) can work remotely via VPN, VDI, remote desktop and the cloud. Our guest is Osei Stephens. He specializes in the areas of IT Network engineering, and has IT experience in construction, information security and legal industries.

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This University of Miami Alumna Kyrah L. Williams is making waves with her 'America's Hidden Gem' initiative that highlights #mentormonday (dedicated to celebrating Black LICENSED Architects, Designers, and individuals in the profession of Architecture) and #futurearchitectfriday (a day to celebrate those pushing themselves to becoming licensed architects). https://americashiddengem.wordpress.com/ https://www.anaiyscharities.org/

I've known Edd ever since high school. Along with Architect Barbara G. Laurie, they played a critical part in my professional development. In this episode, we reflect on Barbara's legacy, HBCUs, and professional ethics.  Edward D. Dunson, Jr. AIA is Associate Professor of Architecture in the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Architecture, Howard University, Washington, DC. Professor Dunson is a licensed architect and design consultant with over 30 years of leadership experience in the profession of architecture and in architecture education. He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Howard University and his Masters degree in Architecture and Urban Design at Columbia University. Professor Dunson served as Chair of the Department of Architecture from 2007 to 2016, and in that capacity worked toward expanding the departmental programs to be more reflective of the evolving building industry while increasing its influence in communities served by its graduates, locally, nationally and globally. His teaching responsibilities are in the area of architecture design, preservation, the practice of architecture and the cultural and ethical responsibility of architecture in the built environment. Thank you to our sponsor, Smartsheet for Architects. Use the promo code Archispolly to receive 10% off. https://www.smartsheet4architects.com/ Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis! 

In the episode, we discuss mapping public housing and the displacement of blacks in the district. We also talked about Northwest One and architecture.

Sarah Jane Shoenfeld is an independent scholar and public historian. She co-directs the project Mapping Segregation in Washington DC, which is documenting the former extent of racially restricted housing in the nation's capital along with other historic mechanisms of segregation and displacement. Sarah's company, Prologue DC, engages in a variety of history projects, including research for exhibitions and films, historic landmark and district nominations, oral histories, and walking tours.

Recent projects include a successful historic landmark nomination for Barry Farm Dwellings—a World War II-era public housing project in Anacostia that is currently slated for redevelopment—and an online tour of African American Civil Rights sites in DC.

Sarah was the lead historian for several DC Neighborhood Heritage Trails and has produced historical essays and other content for the Smithsonian Institution, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and the PBS series American Experience, among others. She received an M.A. in History and Certificate in Public History from Northeastern University, and is a graduate of DC's Wilson High School.

PUBLISHED WORK

"Barry Farm's historic landmark designation was pitted against affordable housing," The Washington Post, Feb. 21, 2020.

“The history and evolution of Anacostia’s Barry Farm,” D.C. Policy Center, July 9, 2019.

"Open Data Meets History: Mapping Segregation in American Cities, Then and Now," Open Cities: Open Data: Collaborative Cities in the Information Era (Palgrave Mamillan, 2019).

"Mapping segregation in D.C.," D.C. Policy Center, April 23, 2019.

"Race and real estate in mid-century D.C.," D.C. Policy Center, April 16, 2019.

Review, Race, Class, and Politics in the Cappucino City, by Derek S. Hyra, Washington History, Spring 2018.

"Don't let development push out low-income residents," The Washington Post, March 23, 2018.

"How segregation shaped DC's northernmost ward," Greater Greater Washington, Sep 14, 2017.

"DC's Comprehensive Plan, a document we use today, preserves the racial segregation of our past," Greater Greater Washington, Jun 13, 2017.

"'A Strictly White Residential Section': The Rise and Demise of Racially Restrictive Covenants in Bloomingdale," Washington History, Spring 2017.

Review, Just Another Southern Town: Mary Church Terrell and the Struggle for Racial Justice in the Nation’s Capital, by Joan Quigley, H-AfroAm, Feb 2017.

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In this episode, the host talks about her love/hate relationship with the AIA and the controversies with their most recent statements about the protest and prison design.

Check out the newest link: https://www.archispolly.online/dope-videos-1

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In this episode, we speak to Michelle Barrett and Chris Daemmrich from Emergent Grounds in Design Education (EGDE) , a cogenerated catalogue of ongoing student and alumni practitioners organizing for antiracist, anticolonial, feminist education in the built environment design professions. This group was originally organized in June 2020 as the Alumni Collective in Solidarity/New Grounds for Design Education, and renamed Emergent Grounds in Design Education (EGDE) in August 2020. Their new name reflects the historical truth that demands for justice and equity in design education are not new but deeply rooted, and that their success will come through decentralized, networked organizing that author adrienne maree brown names ‘emergence’.  For more info email: emergentgrounds.edu@gmail.com

Michelle Barrett, a 2019 M.Arch graduate of Tulane University's School of Architecture, is located in Kansas City, Missouri. In her role as a designer at Gould Evans, she contributes to the entire project process from initial programming, research and schematic design all the way through construction documentation and administration. In her role as a design activist, she advocates for equity and justice within the built environment for marginalized communities and within the architectural profession. Michelle co-founded the Tulane Black Arch Alumni Coalition (TBAAC) and co-facilitates Emergent Grounds for Design Education (EGDE). She has served as a National Student Representative on the NOMA National Executive Board, founding president of NOMAS at Kent State University, and current NOMA KC Student Outreach board member and Project Pipeline coordinator.

Chris Daemmrich was born and raised in Austin, Texas, on Tonkawa land. He studied architecture and political science on Chitimacha, Choctaw and Houma land at Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, graduating with an M.Arch and a B.A. in political science in 2017. Chris has worked in a wide range of architectural, development, advocacy, political and research organizations including Wisznia, Colloqate, the American Institute of Architects and the US Census Bureau. He serves on the boards of NOMA Louisiana and the Association for Community Design, is a co-facilitator of the Architecture Lobby’s Racial Justice Working Group and a co-facilitator of Emergent Grounds in Design Education. In his teaching at the Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking at Tulane University and through the Collaborative Design Workshop, his design justice research, advocacy and education practice, Chris participates in reparative, queer, feminist space-making. Chris’ work has been featured in Architectural Record, ARCHITECT, Archinect and Curbed.

References:
https://www.arch.columbia.edu/events/459-when-ivory-towers-were-black

http://www.nomala.org/ascent

Garfield Peart, MBA, AIA, NOMA is a testament to the power of education, discipline, and passion in shaping one's career and making a positive impact on the community. He is a retired Air Force veteran, father, Christian and practicing architect from Jamaica. Garfield's story is a testament to the transformative power of education, discipline, and passion. Beyond his successful architecture career, he is dedicated to mentoring the next generation through SPIKE Studio, a 501(c)(3) organization committed to addressing key issues affecting the future of Atlanta's youth in terms of education and career readiness. Working at Moody Nolan’s Atlanta studio has allowed Garfield to use his knowledge and resources to make a positive impact on both the local community level and communities across the country. Since the firm's growth and expansion to 12 offices around the country, Garfield expresses his excitement about being part of an organization that is evolving into a national practice while preserving a midwestern family-like culture.

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🎧 Looking for your next favorite podcast? Join Architecture is Political as we dive deep into conversations with black and brown folks about architecture.

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Intersections: Where Diversity, Equity and Design Meet is a Fall 2022 Series at The National Building Museum.  It brings together leading Black voices in design, art, and architecture for a series of dynamic discussions about culture, equity and representation through the lens of design. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Mabel O. Wilson about researching anti-black spaces, the mental toll it can bring and the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers.

RECAP: THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM'S 'INTERSECTIONS' SERIES BRINGS TOGETHER MABEL O. WILSON, MALO A. HUTSON AND GLENN LARUE SMITH IN CONVERSATION

Dr. Mabel O. Wilson is the Nancy and George E. Rupp Professor in Architecture and a professor in African American and African Diaspora Studies at Columbia University. She also serves as the director of the Institute for Research in African American Studies and co-directs Global Africa Lab. With her practice Studio&, she is a collaborator in the architectural team that recently completed the Memorial to Enslaved African American Laborers at the University of Virginia. With Irene Cheng and Charles Davis, she co-edited Race and Modern Architecture: From the Enlightenment to Today (2020). For the Museum of Modern Art, she was co-curator of the exhibition Reconstructions: Architecture and Blackness in America (2021). She’s a founding member of Who Builds Your Architecture? (WBYA?), a collective that advocates for fair labor practices on building sites worldwide.

Launching September 16th and running through December 14th, Intersections engages nationally recognized Black architects, designers and artists in conversations focused on social justice in the built environment. Through interactive lectures and hands-on workshops, this series is designed to provoke new thinking, spark conversation, enlighten and empower.

Nov 29 LARGE FIRM ROUND TABLE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF EQUITY, ADVOCACY AND INDUSTRY

Dec 14 CORY HENRY...AT THE INTERSECTION OF DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY

Shelly-Anne Tulia Scot, AIA and Shani Chambers, AIA are both graduated from the Caribbean School of Architecture and graduated from Florida A&M University. In this episode, they share their Caribbean experiences, culture shock and racism.

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Shani Chambers is a Virginia based architect with over 15 years’ experience in the planning, design and construction industry. Her specialties include Federal, Public Safety and Industrial Architecture. She excels at the integration of complex processes and user needs into high performance design. She also enjoys dabbling in weaving for lessons in architecture.

Ms. Chambers graduated from Florid A&M University and The Caribbean School of Architecture University of Technology, Jamaica.

Shelly-Anne Tulia Scott is the Director of Architecture at Sizemore Group in Atlanta GA. She is a Trinidadian born architect who started her architectural education at the Caribbean School of Architecture after completing an Associate of Arts degree in Interior Design. She worked both in Miami, Trinidad & Barbados before returning to do complete her M. Arch degree at Florida A&M University. She has seventeen years combined experience in Architecture and Interior Design with a broad range of experience in Award winning Libraries, Mixed Use Development, Religious, and Academic Buildings as well as in Feasibility Studies and Concept Design Projects.

As an added bonus to her creative flare she is also a photographer with an eye for unique perspectives in the building environment and in the emotions of people. See some of her photography work here (http://tuliascott.com). She is also active with community and professional groups like USGBC Equity Committee, AIS HSDC, NOMA, Globalbike, Southern Scholarship Foundation Alumni and a graduate of the Leadership Greenville Class 42 and 2017 Greenville Dreams Grassroots Development Program with training in community leadership and leveraging community assets.

🎧 Looking for your next favorite podcast? Join Architecture is Political as we dive deep into conversations with black and brown folks about architecture.

🔔 Don't forget to hit subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! And if you enjoy what you hear, please consider leaving us a review.

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Black Students in Design (BSD) was created in recognition of the many barriers faced by Black students in the design and architecture fields.

Clara James is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design at the University of Toronto, Canada. In 2020 Clara founded Black Students in Design, a student-led community for Black students at Daniels. And with the support of the Daniels outreach office and her all Black executive team, Clara successfully developed and executed Building Black Success through Design – a mentorship program for Black high school students interested in design. During her time as a student she worked with the Student Equity Alliance and Equity Committee within the Daniels Faculty, fighting to address anti-Black Racism and equity. Since then, she’s worked in the school as an Assistant Studio Technologist helping students with any issues they might have. She is currently the Interim Coordinator of Public Programing and Outreach in the Outreach Office at Daniels. And when she can find the time, she is also a free-lance graphic designer.

In this episode, we are joined by past recipients of the Desiree V Copper Memorial Scholarship, Whitni R Irving AIA, NOMA, LEED Green Associate, NCARB; Colby C. Mitchell, Assoc. AIA, NOMA and Natasha Graves, RA, who share their experiences of receiving financial support for their architectural registration exam (ARE). Two DVC Committee Members, Katherine Williams, AIA, NOMA and Nickolas Hill, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, who give us an insider's view of the scholarship and its impact. They talk about the scholarship's goal to pave the way for aspiring architects, the selection process, and how the scholarship has evolved over the years.

The Desiree V. Cooper (DVC) Memorial Scholarship offering assistance to those taking the architect registration exam. It seeks to honor the life and legacy of Desiree V. Cooper by championing the things she was passionate about in her professional career and personal endeavors: providing continual service to her communities and encouraging minorities and women in the advancement of their careers in architecture. To that end, the Foundation awards Scholarships for the architectural registration exam in the following categories: The Black Women in Architecture Award, The Harrisburg Memorial Award, The DC Memorial Award, and the NOMA award.

Whitni R Irving AIA, NOMA, LEED Green Associate, NCARB is a Job Captain at IA Interior Architects. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Master of Architecture from Clemson University. With expertise in K-12 education, civic institutions, urban parks, and mixed-use developments, Whitni has worked on numerous projects that have positively impacted communities. Her projects include Seaport Circle and the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, among others.

Colby C. Mitchell, Assoc. AIA, NOMA is a native of Marianna, Arkansas. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (2011) and Master of Architecture (2013) degree, both from the University of Memphis. He is a Project Manager at Self + TuckerArchitects and Adjunct Professor at the University of Memphis. He is also an entrepreneur graphic designer with his own business, Detail 7; proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., serves on the board of Directors for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) – Memphis Chapter and the National Organization of Minority Architects – Memphis Chapter.

Natasha Graves, RA, is an Assistant Preconstruction Manager at John Moriarty & Associates. She received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Howard University, where she gained a solid foundation in design, project management, and construction. Natasha's passion for architecture and construction is evident in everything she does. She is committed to delivering exceptional results and ensuring that every project is a success. Find out about Natasha’s licensure journey through Archstories.

In this podcast episode, we delve into the transformative initiatives of The Neighborhood Architects® as it connects local communities with architects, designers, and engineers of color, striving to bridge the gap between residents and design professionals. Join us as we explore the journey of Teri Watson, Assoc AIA, NOMA, an Architectural Designer and Project Manager, whose work in traditional practice has garnered accolades and recognition. Teri shares insights into her experiences with various firms and her role as the founder of The Neighborhood Architects®, a platform dedicated to connecting everyday people with the world of architecture. Discover the essence of The Hood Hustles Harder campaign, symbolizing shared determination in overcoming challenges within our communities as well as The Limited Edition Drafting Supply Box. Lastly, we touch upon The Hood Folio, an annual publication that delves into architecture and design within the BIPOC community, providing a comprehensive exploration of impactful projects and voices.

Teri Watson is an Architectural Designer, Project Manager, and currently on an architectural research team for robotics and fabrication. Born in Houston, Texas, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from Florida A&M University and a master’s degree in architecture from Florida International University in Miami, FL.

For the past six years in traditional practice, Teri’s work has explored materiality and various construction methods through the fabrication of architectural facades. This has led to the American Institute of Architects building awards and the 2023 Project Manager of the Year in South Florida. She has worked with many firms like 4RM+ULA and Berenblum Busch Architects (BBA) as Lead Designer to Royal Byckovas (R&B) and Stuart Architecture as a Project Manager. Teri is also the founder of a platform called The Neighborhood Architects®, a platform with a mission to connect everyday people with architecture.

Social Media: IG/Facebook: @_hoodarchitect @theneighborhoodarchitects

Website: www.yenstudio.us

Architecture is Political Podcast had the honor of hosting Houston NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) Happy Hour Series. In this episode, we explore ‘How Architecture is Political’ in the current climate. Special thanks to Mona Elamin and Antoine Bryant of Houston NOMA for making this event possible.

To support NOMA National, go to https://membership.noma.net/donations/ for more information.

To become a NOMA member, go to https://membership.noma.net/ for more information.

Building an architectural firm is no small feat, but Joseph's story is a beacon of inspiration. It's a narrative of embracing culture, fostering collaboration, and relentlessly pursuing one's vision. In this episode, Joseph M Cole, MBA, NOMA, LEED AP, CEO and founding Principal of Culture Architecture and Design, PLLC, discusses the importance of demystifying the design process for clients as well as issues faced by black-owned firms. Joseph also talks about his firm's projects, including work on the Tennessee Titans football stadium, and the value of partnerships and mentorship.

The intersection of community advocacy, sustainability, economic development, and thoughtful design is a true passion for Joseph Cole. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Architecture and Design, Joseph went on to work as a licensed Architect at TMPartners in the healthcare, government, and higher education studios. Joseph’s expertise in his career and engagement in the Nashville community led to his national recognition as an Allstate Giveback Day Hero. This national award is given to four professionals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to volunteering in their community and continuing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy of service.

To propel Joseph’s aspiration of starting his own industry-leading design firm, in 2015, he set out to pursue a Master of Business Administration at Emory University Goizueta Business School. After completing his MBA, Joseph and his wife relocated to New York City, where he worked at Gensler’s New York office in the Technology, Media, and Start-Up Workplace studio as a licensed Project Architect. During his time at Gensler, he designed projects for many of the world’s premier global tech and start-up companies. In addition to this experience as a New York architect, in 2018, Joseph completed the Project REAP New York City Real Estate Associate Program to further his understanding and exposure to the business of architecture, real estate, and design.

In 2018, Joseph and his wife relocated back to Nashville to be closer to family. Joseph founded his own firm, Culture Architecture and Design, PLLC, in 2019 with the focus of creating compelling spaces and brands that people love. In his free time, you can find Joseph volunteering at his church, attending concerts with his wife Brittany, traveling, and obsessing over Tennessee Titans Football.

Learn more about Joseph here: Architecture Beyond Podcast

Culture Architecture and Design on social media: FACEBOOK LINKEDIN INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE

“What if Black neighborhoods were defined by the beauty of the architecture that represents Black  culture?” This question is on the ‘About’ page of the OffTop Design website. In this episode, we explore answers to this question with Demar Matthews, a Los Angeles based architectural designer, founder/Principal of OffTop Design, as well as the benefits and challenges of running a design firm.

Born in Moreno Valley, California, Demar received his Bachelor’s from HBCU Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, and completed his Master of Architecture at Woodbury University where he was awarded the Graduate Thesis Prize for his project Black Architecture: Unearth-ing the Black Aesthetic. His introduction to the field was through his article ‘A Black Architecture Education Experience’. Demar believes architecture and good design should not only be for the privileged. Every community deserves to be proud of the built environment around them, and the built environment around them should be based on the cultures of the people who live there; regardless of income, race, and gender.

In this episode, we catch up with #archimoms Anta Miranda AIA, NOMA, ARB (UK) and Veronica Elizalde-Molina on balancing architecture and parenting in the pandemic.

Listen to the original Season 1 episode on our website here or on your favorite podcast app.

No intro music, no fancy mic, just a cellphone and recording app. This episode discusses current events, personal journey and podcast updates.

Tiff Beatty (she/her) is a cultural organizer, arts administrator, performance poet, and host.  She is the current program director of arts, culture, and public policy at National Public Housing Museum in Chicago. Tiff Beatty was a 2019-2021 Chicago United for Equity Fellow and Senior Fellow and received the additional distinction of the 2019 Field Leader Award from the Field Foundation of Illinois. Her work has been covered by The New York Times, Crain's Chicago Business, Ebony Magazine, Chicago Tribune and several other local and national media.  @tiff_beatty on IG. @thenphm on IG.

Legally Stolen is a 3-episode podcast produced by the National Public Housing Museum and Artist as Instigator Tonika Lewis Johnson as part of her project, ‘Inequity for Sale’, a virtual and physical exploration of homes sold on Land Sale Contracts in the 50s and 60s.

In 2020, the National Public Housing Museum began sharing audio from its archive of oral histories in a podcast called Out of the Archives. Each episode includes a diverse range of stories told by public housing residents. The episodes feature different themes that respond to the NPHM mission to preserve, promote and propel the right of all people to a place where they can live and prosper—a place to call home. Stories make up the backbone of any culture; they tell us where we are from and who we are.

OOTA episode mentioned. OUT OF THE ARCHIVES EPISODE 1— SURVIVING AND THRIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING: STORIES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATIVE ECONOMIES (Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page)

Anta Miranda, AIA and Veronica Elizalde-Molina are both archimoms; balancing architecture and parenting under one roof. The new norm for them include zoom chats, project delivery and explain the importance of social distancing to a four year old.

SHOW NOTES: NIH begins study to quantify undetected cases. Blood samples from healthy volunteers needed to inform public health decision making. See link below for more info.

https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/nih-begins-study-quantify-undetected-cases-coronavirus-infection#qa-section

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Portia Strahan AIA, NCARB, NOMA, LEED, AP is the founding principal of POM Studio Architects and is a licensed Architect in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. POM, which stands for ‘Peace of Mind’ was founded to create visibility of responsible minority architects and designers, committed to socially and ecologically restorative design. In this podcast episode, Portia shares her background, experiences, and challenges, including her transition to starting her own architecture firm, the emotional and financial aspects of entrepreneurship, and support from loved ones. 

Portia graduate from Cornell University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Architecture. In 2016 she graduated from the University of Utah with a Master’s in Architecture. Throughout her career, she’s had the privilege of contributing to a diverse range of proj­ects that showcase her versatility as an architect and educator. Notable among these is the Design Build Bluff Program at the University of Utah, an immersive community design collaborative that deepened her skills in construction and project management. With over 15 years of professional experience, Portia brings a warm and unique design approach to a diverse range of project types from commercial to residential with a focus on community and cultural based design types in communities of color.

Portia has volunteered and sat on the board of various non-profits over the years includ­ing: Habit for Humanity, Architecture for Humanity, and PETS. She has taught Architectural Design Studio at University of Maryland, College Park and has spoken in numerous ca­reer fairs to help inspire the next generation of emerging young minority architects.

Portia is inspired by hands-on crafting of ideas and concepts and being out in nature. She seeks out opportunities to build, plant, hike and play outside which helps her to stay humble and sensitive to the people and places she’s designing for. Sending time with family and the dogs outside is her happy place😊

POM Studio Instagram Facebook

Carolyn Swope MPH, Well AP, is a doctoral student at Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. Her research interests focus on the relationship between housing and health disparities, with particular attention to historical housing policies producing present-day housing inequities. Prior to pursuing doctoral studies, Carolyn worked at various organizations promoting healthy housing and communities, spanning the private, nonprofit, and local government sectors. Carolyn received her MPH in Sociomedical Sciences from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and BA in Anthropology and International Studies from Washington University in St. Louis.

Corey Shaw, Jr is a DC native with lifelong roots in Ward 7 and is the Director of the DC Legacy Project . As a graduate of both Anacostia Senior High School and the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). In this episode, we explore the intersection of land ownership, reparations and architecture in Washington, DC. Corey shares how he was influenced by his family's legacy and the civil rights movement. He highlights poignant stories, such as those of Captain George Pointer, the Harris family and Chevy Chase. Shaw has a passion for comprehending the needs of communities and helping them advocate and mobilize for structural change.

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Thank goodness for twitter cause that's where I met Ujijji. Licensed Landscape Architect, Brooklyn born and Detroit transparent, she has several publications including 'The Help: White Teachers in Black Schools' and 'Black in Design: Reflections for Two Women of Color'. You can find more information about Ujijji by listening to the Transforming Cities Podcast. 

Thank you to our sponsor, Smartsheet for Architects. Use the promo code Archispolly to receive 10% off. https://www.smartsheet4architects.com/

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Check out our website https://www.archispolly.online/ 

In this episode, we delve into Dr. Craig L. Wilkins', RA journey as a writer, focusing on his book, "The Aesthetics of Equity," which sheds light on the challenges faced by Black professionals. Dr. Wilkins candidly shares the hurdles he faced in getting his book published, revealing the perseverance required amidst rejections. Joined by journalist Kelly Beamon, the conversation explores the dynamics of journalism in architecture, highlighting barriers to visibility for Black architects and advocating for media to move beyond tokenism towards genuine recognition of their contributions.

A 2020 Bradford Grant Medal in Landscape Architecture awardee, 2017 Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum National Design Award recipient, architect, artist, academic, and activist, Dr. Craig L. Wilkins’ creative practice specializes in engaging communities in collaborative and participatory design processes. The former director of the Detroit Community Design Center, he is currently creative director of the Wilkins project, a social justice, strategic design alliance that provides architectural, urban design and planning services, public interest design solutions, and expertise in engaged public discourse. A frequently published critic and scholar of the public realm, Dr. Wilkins is also the author of multi-award winning “The Aesthetics of Equity: Notes on Race, Space, Architecture & Music” (University of Minnesota 2007) and “Diversity Among Architects: From Margin to Center” (Routledge 2016). He is currently an associate professor at the University of Michigan College of Architecture and Urban Planning, where he teaches courses on design and social justice.

@drclw on all the social things...

My name is Melissa Daniel and I started this podcast to rediscover why I went into architecture. I am investigating where I lived and talk to the people who can assist me in this journey. In depth, this investigation will examine the Northwest One area in Washington, DC. as well interviews with various architectural professionals, planners and experts. 

Here is a rebroadcast of my interview with Tangible Remnants, a podcast that explores the interconnectedness of architecture, historic preservation, sustainability, race & gender. Host Nakita Reed and I met at a women in architecture event years ago. Check out Tangible Remnants on Apple & Spotify

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TangibleRemnants/

Nakita Reed, AIA, CPHC, LEED AP BD+C, NOMA, is an Associate at Quinn Evans. Her career has focused on the preservation and revitalization of historic buildings, restoring them to new purpose and economic vitality while also incorporating cutting-edge design strategies for sustainability.

Nakita’s portfolio includes a wide range of architectural accomplishments, from the restoration of abandoned, historic buildings to major new construction and expansion projects. Her clients have included local and federal agencies and private-sector organizations throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

Nakita’s commitment to preservation and sustainable design is reflected in her many professional and community volunteer activities. She serves on a number of non-profit boards and is a gubernatorial appointee and chair of the Maryland Green Building Council in 2019.

Tangible Remnant Podcast. A podcast that explores the interconnectedness of architecture, historic preservation, sustainability, race & gender.

In this episode, AIP talks to Lori A. Brown FAIA, an architect and Professor of Architecture in the School of Architecture at Syracuse University and Jordan Kravitz, AIA, LEED Green Assoc, WELL AP, a healthcare architect and medical planner at Smithgroup, about TRAP (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers) Laws and the call to action to mobilize a list of architects who can assist in design and construction of new clinics in states where abortion is still legal.

If you are an architect and are willing to be included on the list, please contact Lori Brown lbrown04(at)syr(dot)edu

As a healthcare architect, and medical planner, Jordan Kravitz believes we can bolster community healthcare practices by creating a strong pillar of health and wellness by designing without bias but with dignity, compassion, and sustainable thinking towards our future. With projects across the entire care continuum from medical office buildings to complex hospital projects she can effortlessly execute the duties of both project architect and medical planner, playing an essential role in integrating the programmatic and spatial demands of a project with its technical requirements. Jordan is known as a leader in her place of work and community through her activism in justices, equity , diversity, and inclusion (J.E.D.I) initiatives and involvement with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the Women in Healthcare Organization.

Lori Brown FAIA is an architect and Professor of Architecture in the School of Architecture at Syracuse University. Her creative research practice examines relationships between architecture and social justice and seeks to create political engagement.

Links:

https://www.routledge.com/Contested-Spaces-Abortion-Clinics-Womens-Shelters-and-Hospitals-Politicizing/Brown/p/book/9781138271623

https://www.averyreview.com/issues/54/legal-houdini

http://www.harvarddesignmagazine.org/issues/41/zoned-out-buildings-and-bodies

https://unladylike.co/bonus-episodes/24/lori-brown-clinic-design

https://www.curbed.com/2022/07/abortion-roe-architect-list.html

https://metropolismag.com/viewpoints/architectures-role-in-a-post-roe-world/

Sarah Wesseler, "The Abortion Clinic Next Door," The Architectural League of New York, July 7, 2021

https://archleague.org/article/the-abortion-clinic-next-door/

Carolyn Crouch of Washington Walks took the host, Melissa Daniel, on a brief walking tour of Architect Chloethiel Woodard Smith iconic buildings in Southwest DC. Chloethiel was also the architect for Tyler House.

Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis!

In this podcast episode, Tiffany Millner, an architect and author of 200 Something, recounts her professional journey, detailing her struggles in traditional architecture firms and her eventual shift towards a more rewarding career. She discusses the pressures of becoming a licensed architect, the challenges of being a black female in the industry, and her creative pursuits in photography and graphic design. Tiffany's story is one of resilience, emphasizing the importance of fulfillment and belonging in one's work.

Tiffany Millner is originally from Linden, New Jersey, and received her bachelor’s in architecture from Temple University. After graduation, she started working at well-established architecture firms and began her quest to change the world, by bringing order to chaos.

Millner founded the design consultancy AUX Collective, LLC, in 2010 and devoted her energy as a consultant in various professional capacities including - architectural & graphic design, website development, community engagement and photography services, with a focus on non-profits and artist development. To amplify her voice and increase her audience, Millner self-published a book called 200 Something. The title alludes to the fact that when she became a registered architect in 2009, she was only 1 of about 200 African American female architects in the nation.

Tiffany is the recipient of AIA Philadelphia’s 2021 Thomas U. Walter Award for her contributions to the design and construction industry on local and national levels, and her dedication to community service and advocacy. She grew a nationally known mentoring affiliate into one of the most successful in the country by providing opportunities for young people interested in a career in architecture, construction, and/or engineering.

Millner continues to work on both local and national levels, broadening her reach as a social Impact developer and advocate for the architectural profession. In 2023, Temple University recognized her as a distinguished Aluma for her career-long efforts in transforming the profession of architecture and awarded her seat within the Gallery of Success.

Currently, on the local level, she focuses on leveraging professional networks to provide support to historically under-invested communities post-development and provide opportunities and pathways to develop generational wealth for those underrepresented in real estate development and the design & construction industry.

On the national level, she strategizes the transformation of practice culture with regards to infusing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the workplace and by authentically supporting the recruitment, development, and retention of those currently underrepresented in the architecture profession.

Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis!

🎧 Looking for your next favorite podcast? Join Architecture is Political as we dive deep into conversations with black and brown folks about architecture.

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Tenille Bettenhausen is a business developer serving the Los Angeles market for the American Institute of Steel Construction. She earned her BS degree in Architecture from Arizona State University. After graduation, Tenille started her career in architecture with Callison Architecture, where she worked on a wide variety of projects including design rollout projects for Nordstrom and Washington Mutual Bank. She has 18 years of previous experience as an architectural project designer, project engineer in construction, and for the last four years, has been the Business Development Manager for a local architecture firm. She is heavily involved in her local chapter of the AIA and is currently the co-chair for the Women in Architecture committee. Tenille is also a podcaster for her new show Death By Architecture. Her passion is marketing and building design, and she finds business development and relationship building of the utmost importance.

Website: http://deathbyarchitecturepod.com/

Instagram: @deathbyarchitecturepod • Instagram photos and videos

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Ebehi Ijewere always had an innate passion for design, color, materials, and crafts. After graduation, Ebehi found that there was no space where she could listen to experiences from designers of color so she started a design podcast, Layers of Design. She also uses her platform to amplify the voices of African architects as well as participate in meaningful design competitions that look to solve social and humanitarian problems through architecture.

Listen to Layers of Design on Apple Soundcloud

Follow on Instagram Twitter

Derrick Ward is a general assignment reporter for News4.   A native of the District of Columbia, Ward grew up in Marshall Heights and the H Street Corridor in Northeast. He lived through the 1968 riots and documented his experiences on News4 as part of the station's 40th anniversary coverage. Ward attended HD Woodson High School and the University of Maryland.  Ward's journalism career began in radio. He worked for WPFW, WAMU and WTOP, covering major stories such as the Iran-Contra hearings, the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon, and the Washington-area sniper shootings.  When Ward made the move to television reporting, his first job was at WKBW-TV in Buffalo. He returned to Washington in 2006 and began reporting for News4.   When not working, Ward spends time with his three children. He also plays guitar and golf.   Ward currently lives in Bowie, Md.

Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis!

Sam Smith is a writer, activist and social critic who has been at the forefront of new ideas and new politics for more than five decades. He covered Washington under nine presidents, edited the Progressive Review for over 50 years, wrote four books, helped to start six organizations including the national Green Party, the DC Humanities Council and the DC Statehood Party. In this episode, we talked about urban renewal and if architectural is political.  Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis!

In this episode, we explore the findings of a recent study on Neighborhood Change in the Washington DC metropolitan region, with a focus on Montgomery County, Maryland. The research, conducted by the Montgomery County Planning Department, a part of the The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), found that the most pressing issue in the county is low-income concentration, rather than displacement. Additionally, the study revealed that new housing construction is associated with inclusive economic growth in diverse neighborhoods. This research was based on a methodology developed by the University of Minnesota and was advanced by the Research and Strategic Projects Division at Montgomery Planning. The findings were presented to the Montgomery County Planning Board on May 19, 2022, and an interactive map showing low-income concentration, inclusive growth, and displacement in the region is available on the department's website. The Purple Line Corridor Coalition’s Housing Action Plan also in place, and the department's long-term vision for the county, Thrive Montgomery 2050, is also discussed. Casey Anderson, the Montgomery County Planning Board Chair, Tanya Stern, Deputy Director and former DC planner, and Ben Kraft, a researcher at Montgomery Planning and the author of the neighborhood change analysis, provide insight on the study's key findings.

Ileana Schinder is a licensed architect in Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland. A LEED accredited professional and a Passive House Design Consultant, Ileana has nurtured her passion for architecture since first hearing the click of LEGO bricks at the age of 4. Two decades later, she holds a B.A. in Architecture from Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (Argentina) and an M.A. in Communications from American University in Washington, D.C.  She has been featured in publications such as The Washington Post, Dwell, Washington Business Journal and Greater Greater Washington.  Check out her website :https://ileanaschinder.com/ 

Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis!

Anna earned her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from The Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and a Masters in Architecture from The Virginia Polytechnical Institute.

She is Senior Project Manager at Beyer Blinder Belle in Washington, DC.  She has worked on complex projects, focused on design, documentation, and construction for multi-family residential, commercial, and public space projects in the metropolitan DC area.

She is an active member of the AIA Northern Virginia, serving on the Board of Directors in 2008, a past chair of the Young Architects Forum from 2008-2015 and organizer of the ARE Prep series since 2007.  She is currently the Co-Chair of the Women in Architecture Committee.  She is a scholar from the 2011 Virginia Emerging Leaders in Architecture class and the 2016 Christopher Kelly Leadership Development Program.

Segregated By Design is a personal project of Adam Paul Susaneck. His Instagram posts visually depicts the destruction of black and brown communities due to redlining, urban renewal and freeway construction with aerial photographs and maps. Through various social media channels, Adam is able to bring awareness to the erasure of local black and communities to the forefront.

Adam Paul Susaneck recently received his Masters of Architecture from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. His work focuses on addressing historic inequity and ongoing climate issues through urban planning, architecture, and transportation infrastructure. In his professional work he has been involved in the retrofitting and upgrading of New York City Subway, commuter rail, and Amtrak stations for ADA accessibility. Hailing from West Palm Beach, FL, originally, Adam received his B.A. in political science at UC Berkeley.

Support Segregated by Design here.

Saundra Little, AIA and Karen Davis Burton are co-owners of Noir Design Parti, a project designed to research and tell the stories of the professional journeys and creative works of Detroit’s Black Architects. We talked to Detroit, firm ownership, entrepreneurship, SpaceLab Detroit and future projects.

https://www.facebook.com/NoirDesignParti/?rc=p

https://twitter.com/noirdesignparti?lang=en

Thank you to our sponsor, Smartsheet for Architects. Use the promo code Archispolly to receive 10% off. https://www.smartsheet4architects.com/ 

Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis!

Richard Lyew, AIA  of Studio Lyew and Nikolas Hill are both archidads; balancing architecture and parenting under one roof.  The new norm for them include alternating work/parenting schedules and sharing a co-working space in the dining room.

SHOW NOTES: Learn to meditate from the world’s top mindfulness experts with Ten Percent Happier (Not a paid sponsor)

Earlier this year, Architecture is Political Podcast had the opportunity to present at Pyatok's Skull Session, a weekly meet-up where various guests come to discuss topics related to architectural practices, emerging innovations, and everything in between. Pyatok is an architecture and urban design firm in Oakland, California. Topics discussed in this episode include displacement, housing and gentrification.

https://www.facebook.com/PyatokArch

Our current situation in the world has affected the host both emotionally and physically. This episode discuss personal struggles, architecture responses and the future of this podcast.  

Intersections. Where Diversity, Equity and Design Meet.  This Fall, The National Building Museum is bringing together leading Black voices in design, art, and architecture for INTERSECTIONS, a series of dynamic discussions about culture, equity and representation through the lens of design. Launching September 16th and running through December 14th, Intersections engages nationally recognized Black architects, designers and artists in conversations focused on social justice in the built environment. Through interactive lectures and hands-on workshops, this series is designed to provoke new thinking, spark conversation, enlighten and empower.

Jacquelyn Sawyer is a fourth generation teacher and dedicated education professional with over 16 years of curriculum and program design, project management and partnership development experience. Jacquelyn began her career in the classroom as a middle and high school Social Studies, Environmental Science and Economics teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools. After welcoming her first son, Jacquelyn transitioned to the non-profit sector, where she worked with organizations like The Baltimore Urban Debate League, WE Charity and the National Aquarium to improve the educational opportunities of students in underserved schools and communities. In addition to her non-profit work, Jacquelyn has also had the opportunity to serve as a curriculum developer, administrative coach and teacher evaluator for school systems across the country, including District of Columbia Public Schools, Dallas Independent School District and Miami- Dade County Public Schools. Jacquelyn currently serves as the Vice President of Education and Engagement at the National Building Museum.

Jacquelyn Sawyer received her undergraduate degree in Urban and Suburban Studies from George Mason University and her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Johns Hopkins University. She is the proud mother of two boys, Thomas and George. In her time away from work she is an avid reader, jazz enthusiast and enjoys hiking, biking and all things outdoors.

Sept 8 BLACKSPACE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK FUTURES, AGENCY, AND DESIGN

Sept 16 DEMAR MATTHEWS...AT THE INTERSECTION OF IDENTITY AND COMMUNITY

Sep 20 HARRIET TUBMAN...AT THE INTERSECTION OF LEGACY AND LANDSCAPE

Sept 23 MABEL WILSON...AT THE INTERSECTION OF REPRESENTATION AND TRADITION

Oct 18 BLACKSPACE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK FUTURES, AGENCY, AND DESIGN

Oct 21 AMANDA WILLIAMS...AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND SOCIAL COMMENTARY

Nov 10 GERMANE BARNES...AT THE INTERSECTION OF STORYTELLING, ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURAL NARRATIVE

Nov 19 BLACKSPACE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK FUTURES, AGENCY, AND DESIGN

Nov 29 LARGE FIRM ROUND TABLE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF EQUITY, ADVOCACY AND INDUSTRY

Dec 14 CORY HENRY...AT THE INTERSECTION OF DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY

Karina Ruiz has over 20 years of experience and has managed over $1 billion in educational projects throughout her career. Her belief that education shapes the future of this world, drives Karina to ensure that teaching and learning objectives remain the team’s focus throughout each project. She is actively engaged in the national dialogue on the intersection between pedagogy and design innovation. As principal, she brings an innate ability to inspire educational planning, build community engagement and design efforts that exceed expectations of clients and users.

Personal Socials

Twitter -@ruizpdx - https://twitter.com/Ruizpdx

Instagram - @ruizpdx - https://www.instagram.com/ruizpdx/?hl=en

BRIC Socials

Twitter - @bric_arch - https://twitter.com/bric_arch

Instagram -@bric_arch - https://www.instagram.com/bric_arch/?hl=en

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bric-arch/

Arquitina Book - https://www.arquitina.org/our-book

Rainey Shane is a co-founder of SEAM™(Social Equity Assessment Method), a 501c3 nonprofit organization that created the SEAM Standard™ and administers a social equity certification for commercial real estate projects. SEAM™ is a third-party standard for real estate projects that certifies an organization's actions toward social sustainability as measured against internationally accepted criteria. It is a vehicle for organizations to leverage commercial real estate and use it to make authentic, measurable gains in social responsibility beyond health and wellness to encompass matters like justice and equity.

-Metropolis Magazine Article: Can We Actually Measure for Social Equity?

Devanne Pena ("Dev-in Pee-nuh") is an Architect Entrepreneur. She is proud to be among the first 400 African American women living history to be licensed to practice architecture. A fourth generation Cape Verdean, Devanne conducted independent research in her native West African islands to define future architectural service for the culture. She is the owner of a design consultancy, Archidev LLC, and this year founded a start-up called AFROSPACE. Creating resilient and protective space for black women is a design problem she intends to solve.an architectural  practice as well as . She first envisioned this venture by asking the question, “How can we design resilient, habitual and protective spaces for Black Women+”?

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DevannePena

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devannepena/

Laura Foote became a housing activist in 2014, when she became one of the key founders of the YIMBY movement. As Executive Director of YIMBY Action, Laura has grown the organization into a thriving grassroots political organization of thousands of volunteers. As of 2021, YIMBY Action has over 3000 supporters nationwide and is made up of nearly 20 chapters in cities across the country. Laura is widely recognized as an authority on effective housing activism in the US. She holds a B.A. in Economics from Hamilton College.

YIMBY Action started out as a group advocating for housing in San Francisco, one of the worst cities in the U.S. in terms of housing cost and availability. Since then, they teamed up with people in other growing cities and towns across the U.S. who saw housing become more expensive and scarce in their communities. Now, YIMBY Action has chapters from coast to coast of the US. Through our network, chapters get access to training, tools, and a community of other people passionate about housing. Support YIMBY Action here.  Check out their Impact Report here.

Happy New Year and welcome to the final episode of season four (4)! We're wrapping up the season with a conversation featuring the incredible Peter D. Cook, FAIA, NOMA. In this episode, we talk about his remarkable lineage, his role in shaping DC's architectural landscape, and his work at The Contemplative Site at Monticello. We also discuss the importance of community engagement, the challenges architecture students face, and his contributions to DC’s public spaces, including libraries. It’s the perfect close to a long season.

Peter D. Cook, FAIA, NOMA is a Design Principal and Vice President with HGA, a position he has held since joining the firm in 2017. A graduate of Harvard College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, he is a nationally recognized architect based in Washington DC with a portfolio of award-winning art, community and educational projects demonstrating versatility with a variety of sites, typologies and scales. Common among them is his approach that values the establishment of a strong, personal connection with client and stakeholders, the result of deep listening and empathy.

A direct descendant of Julian F. Abele (1881-1950), one of the nation’s most celebrated and accomplished African-American architects, Peter served as one of the three lead design collaborators for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Peter was appointed in 2021 by President Joseph Biden to serve as a member of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and was elevated in 2022 as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. He has also served for over 20 years as a Peer for the U.S. General Services Administration Design Excellence program. Peter continues to be engaged with many community-based institutions including serving on the Board of Directors at the Washington Architectural Foundation, the Board of Trustees at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, and as a past Vice President of the National Organization of Minority Architects.

BlackSpace…at the Intersection of Diversity, Agency and Design is a series of workshops, two virtual and one in-person, at the National Building Museum’s Fall Series, INTERSECTIONS. At the second workshop, Vanessa Morrison (along with other cohorts), introduced the importance of culturally relevant and affirming design principles and how these can be used as a tool to create and preserve inclusive spaces.

Vanessa Morrison is a social impact planner who’s dedicated to supporting people’s ability to thrive while exploring how the built environment plays a role within those experiences.

Vanessa’s professional and academic opportunities have led her to design and lead approaches to address inequity challenges for marginalized groups, domestically and internationally consult development projects, and activate both spatial and social environments. She is also highly experienced in leading teams while developing culturally responsive engagement strategies that reach into a diverse range of communities; including but not limited to: Black communities, business spaces, the nonprofit sector, and state and local governments.

Additionally, Vanessa is the Associate Director at the Institute for Quality Communities at the College of Architecture, co-founder of BlackSpace Oklahoma, and is the co-founder and CEO of Open Design Collective; a non-profit organization that supports the social and spatial needs of marginalized communities.

twitter: @vinthecityy

Oct 18 BLACKSPACE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK FUTURES, AGENCY, AND DESIGN

Oct 21 AMANDA WILLIAMS...AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND SOCIAL COMMENTARY

Nov 10 GERMANE BARNES...AT THE INTERSECTION OF STORYTELLING, ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURAL NARRATIVE

Nov 19 BLACKSPACE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK FUTURES, AGENCY, AND DESIGN

Nov 29 LARGE FIRM ROUND TABLE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF EQUITY, ADVOCACY AND INDUSTRY

Dec 14 CORY HENRY...AT THE INTERSECTION OF DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY

Please note that this Desiree V. Cooper (DVC) Memorial Scholarship Foundation is not the same as the Architects Foundation Desiree V. Cooper Memorial Fund. (Confusing… I know).

Desiree was one of my dearest friends until she tragically passed away a couple of years ago. 2021 will be the fourth year of the Desiree V. Cooper (DVC) Memorial Scholarship offering assistance to those taking the architect registration exam. It seeks to honor the life and legacy of Desiree V. Cooper by championing the things she was passionate about in her professional career and personal endeavors: providing continual service to her communities and encouraging minorities and women in the advancement of their careers in architecture. To that end, the Foundation awards Scholarships for the architectural registration exam in the following categories: The Black Women in Architecture Award, The Harrisburg Memorial Award, The DC Memorial Award, and the NOMA award (new 2021).

For more information about this scholarship: http://bwa-network.com/dvc-memorial-scholarship/ Submission responses must be received no later than 11:59pm on January 11, 2021

https://www.facebook.com/desireesvictorycrew/

Sharlita Olaleye won the 2020 DVC Black Women in Architecture award.

Tya Winn won the 2019 DVC Black Women in Architecture award. She is an advocate for affordable housing and community development in Philadelphia. Winn is the Director of Project Planning for Habitat for Humanity in Philadelphia where she serves as project manager for acquisition, design, and permitting phases of their projects. She also works on affordable housing policies with local civic organizations.

Jennifer T. Matthews won the 2019 DVC DC Memorial Award. She is an Architectural Designer at Sherlock, Smith & Adams. With six years of healthcare design experience, Jennifer has worked on projects with multiple DC Metro healthcare providers. She was awarded the 2018 Healthcare Design Magazine's Educator Honor Award for creating Array Architects' annual Mind the Gap event. Her recent outreach efforts include professional practice seminars, design studio critiques, and managing her professional development platform, Creative's XP.

Katherine Williams, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP is co-founder of DVC Memorial Scholarship. She is a licensed architect in Northern Virginia and currently a Senior Project Manager at a DC university. Katherine has written extensively about the architecture profession, diversity in the industry, and community development. She has served as editor for multiple publications and was the NOMA magazine editor from 2009-2014. She writes at katherinerw.com and is publisher/editor for archstories.com.

Nikolas Hill Assoc. AIA, NOMA, is a member of the DVC Memorial Scholarship Committee; he hails from Chicago and has been living in Baltimore since 2012. He has worked as a Project Designer/PM at an A/E firm in the DMV region for the past three years. He is currently working on multiple projects in the aviation, transit infrastructure, & municipal government sectors. He currently serves as the Programming Chair for the Baltimore NOMA chapter. He spends his free time falling asleep on TV shows with his wife, Lauren; having his four-year-old son, Nixon, tell him nonsensical "Knock, Knock" jokes; and sourcing the most glorious quince, Champagne vinegar, & lemon thyme to use in shrubs.

Christina Schaller is a passionate and ambitious project designer currently pursuing licensure in the state of Massachusetts. At her role at Flansburgh Architects, her work focuses on designing K-12 schools that encourage a desire for learning as well as address the needs of the greater community. She holds a B.S in Architecture and Environmental Design from Morgan State University and a M.Arch from the Rhode Island School of Design. Christina also teaches an introduction to architecture course during the summers at RISD as apart of their Pre-College/Advanced Program for High School Students Program and is actively involved in the architectural community in Boston, serving as a co-chair of the Emerging Professionals Network (EPNet) at the Boston Society for Architecture (BSA).

Rosalie Shen is a visual storyteller. She has a passion for creative marketing and media, telling stories through imagery & design. Her interests lie at the intersection of art, commerce, and culture. Rosalie currently works as a Marketing Manager for Flansburgh Architects, headquartered in Boston. She is also the founder of an apparel e-commerce website, WhiteElephantCollective.org, dedicated to elephant conservation. You can find her at rosalieshen.com.

For job opportunities: http://www.flansburgh.com/people/careers/

In this episode, we talk about Dr. Edwards’ educational career in architecture and planning, why she stepped down as Chair at Howard University's Department of Architecture and the love she has for her students.

Dr. Hazel Ruth Edwards, FAICP, is an educator and planner whose career combines place-based research with planning and urban design practice and teaching. She currently serves as a professor in the Department of Architecture of the College of Engineering and Architecture of Howard University in Washington, D.C. When she joined the faculty in 2016, she became the first female department chair since architecture education was established in 1911. She began her professional career at Howard University, where she undertook research on the development of the campus that led to the university’s 1998 Central Campus Plan, as well as publication of the history The Long Walk: The Placemaking Legacy of Howard University, co-authored with University Vice President Harry G. Robinson III; she then served as the principal planner for both the West Campus and Central Campus. She has been on the faculty of the graduate program in City and Regional Planning at the Institute of Architecture and Planning of Morgan State University in Baltimore and the faculty of the School of Architecture and Planning at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where she was the founding director of the school’s Master of City and Regional Planning program.

Edwards, the granddaughter of the first Black registered architect in North Carolina, was raised in Washington, D.C. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Howard University, a Master of Architecture in Urban Design degree from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in Regional Planning from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. She was a Carolina Minority Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and was elected to its College of Fellows in 2018; she was appointed to its Fellows Committee in 2021. She has served on the Harvard University Graduate School of Design’s Alumni Council since 2020. Her teaching was recognized with the 2009 Lankford Giles Vaughn Award for Professor of Architecture of the Year by the Washington, D.C., chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. She is the 2022 recipient of Architectural Record’s Women in Architecture Design Leadership Educator award.

Cory Henry, Principal and Founder of Atelier Cory Henry closes out the INTERSECTIONS series with the question of whether design should reflect culture, history and community concerns. Throughout this episode, Cory provides insights into his ongoing projects, notably highlighting the Freedom Center in Oklahoma City, a building restoration used by civil rights activist Clara Luper as well as the food insecurity Harvard GSD course called The Paradox of Hunger – Rural Mississippi. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of inclusive decision-making processes in infrastructure projects, particularly in relation to public transportation.

Atelier Cory Henry, an award-winning Los Angeles-based design studio led by Cory Henry, is renowned for its socially conscious and research-driven approach to design. Henry's work spans various scales and project types across continents, earning him recognition from organizations like the Royal Society of Arts in the UK and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) as an emerging talent in the field. He also boasts a notable academic career, having twice received the prestigious title of KEA Distinguished Professor from the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. His educational journey includes teaching roles at Harvard University Graduate School of Design, the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design, Syracuse University, the University of Maryland, Penn State University, and the University of Southern California. Cory Henry's academic background features a Master of Architecture from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Drexel University.

Chris Daemmrich was born and raised in Austin, Texas, on Tonkawa land. He studied architecture and political science on Chitimacha, Choctaw and Houma land at Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, graduating with an M.Arch and a B.A. in political science in 2017. Chris has worked in a wide range of architectural, development, advocacy, political and research organizations including Wisznia, Colloqate, the American Institute of Architects and the US Census Bureau. He serves on the boards of NOMA Louisiana and the Association for Community Design, is a co-facilitator of the Architecture Lobby’s Racial Justice Working Group and a co-facilitator of Emergent Grounds in Design Education. In his teaching at the Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking at Tulane University and through the Collaborative Design Workshop, his design justice research, advocacy and education practice, Chris participates in reparative, queer, feminist space-making. Chris’ work has been featured in Architectural Record, ARCHITECT, Archinect and Curbed. Recommended readings: Silencing the Past

Rapid changes in the aesthetics of a community you grew up in has lasting effects. Some study architecture, some create podcast and others write an essay. Meet Amber Delgado (non-architect); a writer and filmmaker from Fayetteville, North Carolina. In this episode, we talk about gentrification and architecture.

Amber Delgado received her BFA in film/media production and BA in art history from East Carolina University. Approaching her filmmaking and research through a Black feminist lens, Amber aims to make art and academic spaces accessible and equitable to people who have been historically excluded. Amber is currently based in currently based in Minneapolis to pursue a Masters degree in Heritage Studies and Public History at The University of Minnesota.

Curated Tolerance is the title of her most recently published essay, and she is currently accepting zine submissions for the curated tolerance zine. Learn more about the project at:

https://www.patreon.com/curated_tolerance

Amber Delgado’s essay : Curated Tolerance: the aesthetics of gentrification

Camille Sherrod, RA is a full-time professor at Kean University's School of Public Architecture, with a wealth of diverse international academic experience. Holding a Bachelor of Architecture from Southern Polytechnic State University in the US and a Master of Architecture and Urbanism from the Architectural Association in the UK, Camille brings a unique perspective to her faculty role. She is also committed to empowering minority students and women in the field by fostering an inclusive environment for all. Camille has previously worked in architectural practices both within the US and internationally since 2009 including Zaha Hadid Architects in London, UK, and Jack Gordon Architects in New York. Tall projects she has previously been involved in include the Youth Olympic Center Towers, Nanjing, China (topped-out 2014).
https://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/2023

https://blackarchitect.us/

https://www.acsa-arch.org/resources/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/

In this episode, we delve into the architectural world with Wynord Thomas Jr., an Associate at CO Architects. With a diverse background spanning higher education, K-12, retail, civic, and mixed-use projects, Wynord is known for his direct approach to addressing present and future challenges, particularly emphasizing sustainability, technology, and science. As a steadfast designer and emerging team leader, he has earned the trust and respect of clients, contractors, and project teams. Wyn is currently engaged in the multi-phased, 263,000-square-foot John H. Francis Polytechnic Senior High School Comprehensive Modernization project, involving significant new construction and core facility upgrades. His impressive portfolio also includes notable projects like the Pearl Innovation District in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Health Professions Education Building in Los Angeles.

With over 30 years experience, Kathryn's architecture anthology can be a dissertation. She's not only my mentor, but a close friend. Notably, she was one of the first 20 African American Women registered to practice architecture in the United States, and was elevated to Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 2002. Ms. Prigmore received her Master of Science in Engineering degree from The Catholic University of America and her Bachelor of Science in Building Sciences and Bachelor of Architecture degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Thank you to our sponsor, Smartsheet for Architects. Use the promo code Archispolly to receive 10% off. https://www.smartsheet4architects.com/ Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis!

Juliet Sakyi-Ansah is an architect experimenting with architecture as a tool for driving social and environmental change using participatory and collaborative approaches. Invested in the potential of collective action, Juliet’s explorative work and approach  often centres on people and place identity and how that manifests in the practice, process and production of architecture and the built environment. Juliet's emerging Studio OASA is her creative space for her research and design practice, process and production.

Juliet has taught at the Birmingham School of Architecture and Design as a Visiting Tutor. She has co-organised architecture conferences and symposiums including The Production of Place at UEL School of Architecture and Ecology theory forum 09 at the Sheffield School of Architecture. She recently collaborated with the Place, Culture and Identity research group on the inaugural Black in Architecture symposium on Race in Architectural Education: Decolonising the Curriculum at Oxford Brookes School of Architecture.

Juliet founded and spearheads The Architects’ Project. Here, she conceived and developed Narratives, a semi- academic publication space for projects exploring new and emerging ways of practice, writings on planning, politics and policy in architecture, the built environment and related subjects. As part of The Architects’ Project, Juliet is creating /tap Collective platform as a collaborative and creative lab that addresses complex social and environmental challenges and opportunities. Juliet’s current work on this platform includes Black in Architecture research unit, a change initiative addressing race and equity in UK Architecture. She also works on Learn/Play, a place-based design initiative that explores design opportunities for underused and abandoned outdoor spaces. Through the /tap Exchange platform at The Architect's Project, Juliet convenes interdisciplinary experts and communities for dialogue. For this, she currently coordinates the /tapTakeoverWeekends. She uses /tap Reach platform for community outreach projects.

Juliet received her BA Architecture and M.Arch from the Sheffield School of Architecture and completed her RIBA Part 3 at the Architectural Association School of Architecture. She is currently completing her PhD in Architecture and the Built Environment at Oxford Brookes University.

In this episode, Melissa shares her thoughts about the recent events involving black lives and Call to Action to Starchitect (celebrity architect) professionals.

Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis!

In this episode, guest Nigel Maynard and Kelly Beamon examines the intersection of design, architecture, and journalism.

Nigel F. Maynard is an award-winning editor and journalist who covers architecture, design, construction and homebuilding industry. He spent 14 years at Hanley Wood’s Builder Magazine and Residential Architect and was the founding editor of the now-defunct Residential Building Products digital magazine. Most recently, he was Editor-in-Chief of Custom Builder and PRODUCTS magazines. His work has appeared in countless publications, including The Washington Post, Metropolis, Architectural Record, This Old House, Arlington Magazine, Bethesda Magazine, Energy of the City, Ocean Home Magazine, Northshore Magazine, USA Today Magazines and others. Maynard is also an amateur woodworker and cabinetmaker and has bought and remodeled five homes. His current home was featured in The Washington Post and his previous home was covered in Home Magazine, The Washington Post, and HGTV.

Kelly Beamon has spent 18 years producing architecture and design content, with focuses on historic house styles, building materials, and kitchen and bath trends for Architectural Record, This Old House, Interior Design, Surface and HD magazine. An additional area of constant research and curiosity has been the impact of the A&D community on such issues as affordable housing, building decarbonization, design education, and the schools-to-practice pipeline. Ms. Beamon’s work has been referenced by the New York Times, ABC News, and USA Today. She is currently senior editor for Metropolis magazine.

Black In Architecture is a hashtag to amplify the voices of Black/Black British architectural professionals and students in the UK. It is also a black-led research initiative, proposing a new approach to achieving racial justice and ending structural racism and inequity in architecture.    This is a start in defining the changes that we, as black people, want to demand in architecture and across the various dimensions of the profession - in education, practice, recruitment, professional memberships, regulatory bodies, media, events, to name a few. The aim is to gain richer insight into the persistent racial injustice in the profession, and how it often impacts on the everyday lives of black people in architecture - at home, at the workplace, in finding work and business opportunities, in higher education and in other situations.

Juliet Sakyi-Ansah ARB RIBA AGIA, is a Ghanaian-British architect based in the U.K. She is currently studying for a PhD in architecture and the built environment, and is the Founder and Lead at The Architects' Project.

Also in the conversation is Irvine Toroitich ,  Shade Abdul, RIBA and  Zubaydah Jibrilu

Website: https://blackinarchitecture.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackinarch

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tap.narratives/

My friendships with Nakita Reed AIA, April Drake AIA, and Morina Peterson are decades old. I got the band back together to discuss working from home,  returning to the office and density.

Nakita Reed is an award-winning architect with experience throughout the Mid-Atlantic. She is skilled in the preservation, restoration, and adaptive use of historic buildings, with a focus on sustainable strategies in design and construction.  She has a Master of Architecture and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia. She is a registered architect, a LEED®-Accredited Professional, and was the 2018 recipient of AIA/DC’s Emerging Architect Award.

April Drake is a Senior Project Architect with HDR in Arlington, VA focusing on complex government facilities.  A native of Hampton Roads, Virginia, April received her B. Arch from Hampton University in 2004.  With 15 years of education, government and commercial project experience, April leads multidisciplinary teams through all stages of design.  As one of only 400+ African American licensed women in the country, April is aware of the leadership and encouragement that is necessary to guide women from graduation to licensure.

Morina Peterson has utilized a client-centered approach to project management and sustainable design throughout her career in architecture. After graduating from Hampton University with a Bachelors of Architecture, she has worked on a variety of project types including , education, worship, and healthcare. Throughout her 20+ year career, Morina has served as a mentor and enthusiastically championed and supported various career development initiatives. Currently Morina is the Director of the DC office of Waldon Studio Architects and a senior project manager. Both positions actively utilize her organizational, human resources, sustainability, diversity and inclusion experiences.

Thank you to our sponsor, Smartsheet for Architects. Use the promo code Archispolly to receive 10% off. https://www.smartsheet4architects.com/

Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis!

Janelle Brookes and Ethan Perrotte are a couple of black architecture students from Canada. They created POC Architecture to support architecture projects done by people of colour. During the course of their education, Janelle and Ethan noticed a lack of architecture projects from people of colour being taught. As a result, POC Architecture Instagram page was created to promote diversity in the field of architecture. On the POC website, they create access of important resources for architecture students to improve their skills and information that are often not taught or shown to students by faculty. If you would like your work to be featured, please email us at pocarch@gmail.com or direct message on Instagram. Website Link: https://pocarch.wixsite.com/pocresources Instagram: @poc_arch

In this episode, Melissa extends the Pandemic Floss series due to recent global protests. She reflects on the written responses from architecture firms and allied organizations and how to cope in a work environment when you are the only black/brown person.

Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis!

Susan Pilato, a Virginia interior designer and CEO of furniture manufacturer Mantra Inspired Furniture, is using her power as a commercial manufacturer and her 30-year interior design career as tools to dismantle racist systems where she encounters them and to amplify this work. We explore the importance of authenticity in professional interactions and the need for genuine connections in certain spaces.Lastly, we emphasized the importance of having those tough, uncomfortable conversations. They're the ones that push us towards a more inclusive and understanding professional landscape. It's about being in spaces that allow for genuine and meaningful discussions.

Formally trained as an interior designer, Susan Pilato is the CEO of Mantra Inspired Furniture and a co-founder of PC&A Business Environments, a commercial furniture dealership. Pilato is one of Virginia's Top 50 Women Leaders of 2024 and a 2021 recipient of Interior Design magazine’s HiP for Greater Good Award, given to industry pros who improve the lives of others.

Telicious Robinson shares her journey from Ohio to DC, her experiences in the architecture industry, and her vision for the future of DC NOMA (National Organization for Minority Architects). She talks about her passion for healthcare architecture, the challenges of navigating professional spaces as a Black woman, and the importance of giving back to the community. We also discuss the need for honesty, the importance of mental health, and how advocating for change within the industry can empower younger generations of Black architects.

Telicious Robinson, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, LEED GA is a seasoned Technical Designer/Medical Planner with over 13 years of experience across a diverse range of project types. Her extensive portfolio spans Higher Education, Residential, Industrial, Hospitality, Commercial, Aviation, and K-12 schools, with a predominant focus on healthcare architecture.

A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Telicious actively participates in initiatives within her firms and as a dedicated member of NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects). She serves as Vice President of the DC NOMA chapter, where she champions the advancement of underrepresented voices in architecture. She was also selected for the 2024 AIA Next to Lead program, an exclusive leadership initiative designed to support ethnically diverse women in the profession.

In addition to her professional work, Telicious is deeply committed to education and mentorship. She serves as an adjunct professor at Kent State University and as a NOMAS advisor, guiding and inspiring the next generation of architects.

Originally from Cleveland, OH, Telicious holds dual bachelor's degrees in Science for Architecture from Kent State University and Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree from Boston Architectural College. In her role as a Designer and Job Captain, she has led impactful healthcare projects, including Infusion Pharmacy Upgrades, ICU units, Family Health Centers, Surgery Centers, Oncology Units, Lab Design Services, and Imaging Suite Upgrades, showcasing her versatility and expertise in the field.

IG: @teethearchitect

Barry Farms and Hillsdale community is one of Washington, DC’s most historic black communities. Originally founded after emancipation by the Freedmen’s Bureau, the legacy of this community included the development of public housing.  Designated as a historic landmark, an advisory committee was formed to integrate the original architecture and preserve residents’ stories. In this episode, Sabiyha Prince  (a visual artist, cultural anthropologist and founding director of AnthroDocs) and Sarah Jane Shoenfeld (co-founder of the digital public history project Mapping Segregation in Washington DC) talks about the upcoming documentary and history of this community.

Amber Wiley Podcast

Sarah Shoenfeld Podcast

In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking to Wandile Mthiyane, founder and CEO of Ubuntu Design Group, GrindTea.Com and Anti-Racist Hot Dog. Wandile’s infectious laugh and entrepreneurial spirit are as inspiring as his work in architecture and social impact design.

The Role of Educators: Wandile recently delivered a thought-provoking talk in Dublin, shedding light on the profound impact educators have on shaping lives. From causing wounds to providing tools for positive change, discover the pivotal role teachers play in influencing the future through education.

Reinventing Architecture: Delve into Wandile’s perspective on the broken system of architecture. He shares his vision of a micro mortgage model, an innovative approach aimed at making housing more affordable and accessible, particularly for young professionals and low-income communities. Discover how he envisions reshaping the landscape of housing.

The Journey: This podcast has been a therapeutic journey of self-reflection. We reflect on the enlightening moments from our conversation sand hope that this journey has been as enlightening for you as it has been for us.

Architizer article.

Gabriela Gonjon and Nicole Bass are undergraduate B. Arch students and NOMAS (National Organization of Minority Architecture Students) chapter members at City College of New York. Together, they are host/producer of Talks at NOMAS CCNY, a podcast about architecture school, professionalism and entrepreneurship.

Through her work as a speaker, organizer, and activist, Paula Brooks has devoted herself to educating residents, community and elected leaders, civil servants, and others on environmental justice issues in Indiana. She has led successful campaigns to stop projects that would expose marginalized communities to additional pollution. Her efforts have helped raise awareness of the disproportionate environmental health burdens shouldered by low-income communities and communities of color in Indianapolis and contributed to the inclusion of environmental equity as a key planning criterion of Indianapolis’ first resilience plan. Additionally, Brooks has worked to encourage sustainable design of new infrastructure and advocated for the preservation of urban trees. She is committed to mentoring students interested in careers in environmental justice. Brooks, an Environmental Leadership Program Senior (ELP) Fellow also serves as a co-facilitator of the National Black Environmental Justice Network’s (NBEJN) Climate Change Working Group. She chairs the Equity and Environmental Justice Committee of ReThink, a transportation advocacy organization. She was named a 2021 Hoosier Resilience Hero by Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI).

The Reclaiming Indiana Avenue Planning Initiative goal is to bring residents and stakeholders together to design a community-driven future, one that prioritizes people over projects and seeks to address past harms. Reclaiming Indiana Avenue is an important and rare opportunity to lay the framework to collaboratively chart a new course for the Indiana Avenue and MLK Corridors.

https://www.reclaimindianaavenue.org/

https://www.instagram.com/reclaim_indiana_avenue/

In partnership with the National Building Museum, AIP Podcast hosts a series of deep dive conversations from the Intersections series. This is a re-broadcast of a conversation with Demar Matthews. Founder of OffTop Design, Matthews will open the season with a presentation that addresses how architecture amplifies or silences perspectives and narratives and question if and how buildings, streets and landscapes serve to affirm identity and define community. Matthews’ practice investigates the power of architecture as a cultural signifier and vehicle of traditions, values and identity.  In this episode, we explore the question,“What if Black neighborhoods were defined by the beauty of the architecture that represents Black culture?”

In Fall 2022, the National Building Museum is bringing together leading Black voices in design, art, and architecture for INTERSECTIONS, a series of dynamic discussions about culture, equity and representation through the lens of design. Launching September 16th and running through December 14th, Intersections engages nationally recognized Black architects, designers and artists in conversations focused on social justice in the built environment. Through interactive lectures and hands-on workshops, this series is designed to provoke new thinking, spark conversation, enlighten and empower.

Born in Moreno Valley, California, Demar received his Bachelor’s from HBCU Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, and completed his Master of Architecture at Woodbury University where he was awarded the Graduate Thesis Prize for his project Black Architecture: Unearth-ing the Black Aesthetic. His introduction to the field was through his article ‘A Black Architecture Education Experience’. Demar believes architecture and good design should not only be for the privileged. Every community deserves to be proud of the built environment around them, and the built environment around them should be based on the cultures of the people who live there; regardless of income, race, and gender.

Anzilla Gilmore's passion for architecture manifests itself through service. When she graduated from Prairie View A&M University in the late 90’s, she entered a profession where very few people looked like her.  She felt the lack of representation acutely and decided to take action to ensure that no black female that came after her would want for lack of representation.  Gilmore has dedicated herself to professional mentorship, community outreach and professional service through leadership in professional organizations for over 15 years.  She is a founder and the current treasurer of the Houston chapter of NOMA, sits on the National NOMA finance committee and is the founder and current advisor to the Architects Foundation Diversity Advancement Scholars Mentorship Program.  Gilmore was the 2019 chair of the AIA’s National Ethics Council and was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in February 2019.  In her community, Gilmore serves as the Vice President of the board of Municipal Utility District 23 in Fort Bend County and is a Lifetime member of the PVAMU National Alumni Association. Gilmore received a Bachelor of Architecture from the School of Architecture at Prairie View A&M University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington. She became only the fifth female registered architect in the state of Texas and the first in the city of Houston in 2004. She worked in traditional architectural practice in Waco and Houston before transitioning to project management. Gilmore has worked as an owner’s representative in Higher Education for 16 years; first at the University of Houston and currently at Rice University where she is the Assistant Director for Project Management and Engineering. Gilmore is married and has three children.

Can you believe its been 10 years? In this special episode, we’re taking a heartfelt trip down memory lane to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Equity by Design (EQxD). We discuss the origins of EQxD, from the “Missing 32%” initiative to the “Architect Barbie” campaign, and reflect on how a small AIA San Francisco committee grew into a national movement fueled by surveys and power poses. Annelise Pitts AIA, Ántonia Bowman AIA, Rosa T. Sheng FAIA, Lilian Asperin, AIA, and Julia Mandell, AIA open up about their personal journeys, emphasizing the importance of connection, support, and relentless advocacy in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for architects.

Show Notes

Women in Architecture Series (2013)

Caitlin’s Podcast- Architectette

Ántonia Bowman, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, Assoc. DBIA is a Senior Associate at ELS. She joined the firm in 2017 and is a licensed architect in California and Texas. A core team member of AIA San Francisco’s Equity by Design, Ántonia is an advocate for greater visibility and equitable opportunities for women, LGBTQ+, people of color, and others who are underrepresented in the profession. She received a Master of Architecture from The University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. in Studio Art from Smith College.

Annelise Pitts, AIA, Associate at Shepley Bulfinch is a passionate designer, facilitator, and advocate for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the built environment. In her role as a design strategist with LENS, a design strategy, research, and innovation practice group within Shepley Bulfinch, Annelise offers participatory visioning and planning, change management, and organizational development services, collaborating with clients to develop holistic responses to purpose-aligned issues at the heart of the design experience  — sustainability & resilience, health and wellness, and justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Rosa T. Sheng, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C is a Vice-President at SmithGroup serving multiple roles as Higher Education Studio Leader in Northern California and national Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion. After founding Equity by Design [EQxD] in 2014, Rosa served as AIA San Francisco President in 2018, the first Asian American Women to serve in the organization’s 136 year history. Recognized as an industry thought leader, architect, strategist, and advocate, she is known for developing new processes and design solutions with transformational impact in the built environment. 

Lilian Asperin, AIA is a partner at WRNS Studio, where she helps lead the design process and build teams that deliver aspirational outcomes. Serving as an At-Large Director of the Board of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), Lilian continues the work she started with the Pacific Regional Council where she has led workshops and conversations investigating equity, well-being, evolving learn/work modalities, and innovative project delivery models. Committed to advancing the practice of architecture, Lilian has also served as a Board Director of AIA San Francisco and is the Co-Chair of the Equity by Design Committee, a call to action for equitable practice and to communicate the value of design to society.

Julia Mandell, AIA is an experienced architect and planner with broad project experience in architecture, urban design and landscape design. Currently practicing with Wilson Associates, a design/build/development firm in Oakland, California, Julia work includes the design of spaces for living, working, eating and making, with a focus on adaptive reuse. Julia also currently serves as the Co-Chair of Equity by Design, working to increase access to the field of architecture and promote equitable outcomes throughout the architectural process. She received her Masters of Architecture from Rice University and her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Columbia University. She is a licensed architect in the state of California.

Let’s get political! AIP talks to Evelyn Lee, FAIA and Je’Nen M. Chastain, MBA, Assoc. AIA from Practice Disrupted Podcast about the politics of AIA (American Institute of Architects). We discuss a brief governing history as well as the elections process.

Je’Nen M. Chastain, MBA, Assoc. AIA is the founder of Apostrophe Consulting, a practice focused on helping architects and next-gen leaders strengthen their teams and businesses. In addition to consulting with firm leaders on practice management issues, she mentors architects on career development, leadership, and strategy. She specializes in facilitating conversations that engage multi-generational teams and has designed, developed, and presented dozens of training programs that inspire next-gen leaders. She is currently working on several in-house training solutions with award-winning firms that provide support to their teams on leadership development, mentorship, and communication.

Je’Nen is a co-host on the podcast Practice Disrupted, a show that explores the evolution of architectural practice through conversations with industry thought leaders. Through this work she’s transformed her expertise in marketing and communication into a passion for telling the stories of leaders who are moving the practice of architecture forward. Common themes discussed on the show include business strategy, operations, technology, cultural shifts, entrepreneurship, and professional development. Je'Nen earned both her MBA and BArch, and has trained in architecture. She has received several awards for her leadership in the profession, including the 2017 AIA Associates Award.

Evelyn Lee, FAIA, is the first-ever Global Head of Workplace Strategy and Innovation at Slack Technologies, Founder of the Practice of Architecture, and Co-Host of the Podcast, Practice Disrupted. Lee integrates her business and architecture background with a qualitative and quantitative focus to build better experiences for the organization's employees, clients, and guests. She is widely published, wrote a monthly column for Contract magazine for over three years, and now is a frequent contributor to Architect Magazine. Evelyn has received numerous industry awards, including 2016 40 Under 40 award for Building Design + Construction and the 2014 AIA National Young Architects Award. She recently served as the first-ever female Treasurer to the AIA National Board in 2020-2021.

Evelyn has been a featured Keynote Speaker, Invited Guest, Panelist, and Moderator at national design and architecture conferences, including AIA National Convention, Dwell on Design, and Women in Green. Her topics focus on developing knowledge leadership, organizational change management, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and strategic approaches to implement design thinking.

In the context of multifamily and affordable housing, does the architecture aesthetic represent the culture or the historical context of the neighborhood? Melissa explores this topic with two articles: A city within a city and Architecture and Racism: A Conversation.

In this episode, we’re joined by Kevin Sneed FAIA FIIDA NCARB NOMA LEED AP BD+C CDT, whose career spans decades in the field of interior architecture. As a fellow of both the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Kevin shares his journey from Dallas to D.C. and what it means to be the first African American male honored in the IIDA College of Fellows (a significant milestone in a field where less than 1% of professionals identify as African American). We explore the unique distinctions between interior architecture and interior design, the impact of mentorship, the lack of accredited interior design degrees at HBCUs as well as Kevin's role on the Maryland Board of Architects and NCARB.

Kevin Sneed is a Senior Principal and Senior Director of Architecture for the architect/design firm OTJ Architects, which has offices in Washington, DC., New York, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, and Dallas. Kevin graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington, receiving his bachelor’s degree in architecture. Kevin has over 30 years of experience in architecture, interior architecture, and construction. He has earned his LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation for Building Design and Construction (BD+C) as well as the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) Construction Documents Technologist certification (CDT).

Kevin heads his office's quality assurance/quality control program, which sets the standards for its construction document and construction administration processes. He also actively participates in his firm's marketing and business development and is part of its "green initiative," coordinating the design, details, and LEED process for sustainable projects in the firm.

Kevin has offered numerous presentations and workshops for the architecture and interior design industry, covering topics such as building codes, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical issues, as well as standard procedures regarding construction administration. He is on the George Washington University Advisory Board for Interior Architecture & Design Programs. He provides real-world experience while promoting program initiatives and long-term planning strategies and fostering collaboration between the school, local, and national organizations.

Kevin has served on numerous committees and boards in the design industry, from the City of Alexandria’s Board of Architectural Review (Parker Gray-Gray District) to currently the Maryland Board of Architects.

In 2017, Kevin was elevated to Fellow by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows for his contributions to architecture and the Institute, and in 2024, Kevin was also elevated to Fellow by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

Designers can draw inspiration from various elements, including artworks, photographs, or even the human emotions and stories that reside behind each project. This allows for a more profound and meaningful experience, as the design connects with its audience on a deeper level. Similarly, examining how other aspects of design, like performances and stage design, can offer valuable insights for memorial designers. In the AIP podcast, host Melissa Daniel and Christina Sturdivant Sani, native, wife, and mother, known for her exceptional work in esteemed publications like the Washington Post and CityLab, discusses Rihanna's halftime show at the 2023 Super Bowl, focusing on the design of the performance set. We also discuss the MLK Memorial design competition and how "The Embrace," underwent noticeable transformations from its initial rendering to its final design. Curbed Online

The 5 Proposals For The MLK Memorial On Boston Common

Rhianna Half Time Show

Perron-Roettinger

Scratching the Surface Podcast with Willo Perron Christina Sturdivant Sani is a proud Washington, D.C. native and prolific freelance journalist. As Editorial Director and Co-founder of Bloc By Block News, she oversees the production of website, newsletter, and social media content. A former staff writer at DCist, Christina wrote more than 1,600 breaking news stories on politics, transportation, education, policing, food, and entertainment, among other topics. Many of her feature stories highlighted Black life and culture in D.C. and investigated issues related to marginalized communities east of the Anacostia River. She’s written a half dozen cover stories for Washington City Paper and has freelanced for nearly two dozen publications including The Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, Zagat, PBS, and CityLab. She studied print journalism at Hampton University. You’re likely to spot her working remotely at your favorite D.C.-area coffee shop. Twitter @christurdisani

Sarah Akigbogun is a London-based transdisciplinary practitioner and educator. An architect, filmmaker and writer, she is founder of Studio Aki London and theatre collective Appropri8, which seeks to work with communities to activate disused urban sites. Sarah is passionate about diversity within architecture and is Vice Chair of Women in Architecture UK and founder of the XXAOC project. In 2017 she directed the film She Draws : She Builds, which collates the voices of 15 female architects. Trained as an architect and structural engineer, Sarah studied Architectural Engineering at the University of Westminster and completed her Diploma at the Architectural Association (AA).  At the AA  her work focused on themes of mental illness and architecture and the use of film as a tool to explore and document experiences of the city.

After graduating Sarah worked at several international practices including Alsop Architects and Foster and Partners. She also holds an MA in Acting from Central St Martins and is currently an Associate Lecturer at Canterbury School of Architecture.

Sarah’s current film project, for which she has received support from Arts Council England, tells the stories of Female Architects of Colour.  The film is part of the wider XXAOC research project which is intended as an online resource documenting female architects of colour past and present.  Last year as part of this project Sarah conducted an interview with Dr. Sharon Egretta Sutton which is was published by Parlour and Architecture Australia.

Connect with Sarah:

Twitter:  @SarahAkigbogun  @xx_aoc

Insta: @studio.aki   @xx_aoc

Check out the newest link: https://www.archispolly.online/dope-videos-1

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Intersections: Where Diversity, Equity and Design Meet is a Fall 2022 Series at The National Building Museum. It brings together leading Black voices in design, art, and architecture for a series of dynamic discussions about culture, equity and representation through the lens of design. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Mabel Wilson about researching anti-black spaces, the mental toll it can bring and the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers.

In this episode of the podcast, Jonathan Moody, AIA, shares his personal journey and the lessons he learned about the power of possibility.  Jonathan learned from his father that success in the field of architecture was attainable, despite the challenges and biases he faced. He reflects on the impact of President Obama's visit to the 2022 AIA convention, the story behind Moody Nolan receiving the AIA Firm Award and the highs and lows of his journey as a college athlete and architecture student. His story serves as an inspiration for anyone seeking to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Launching September 16th and running through December 14th, Intersections engages nationally recognized Black architects, designers and artists in conversations focused on social justice in the built environment. Through interactive lectures and hands-on workshops, this series is designed to provoke new thinking, spark conversation, enlighten and empower.

Nov 29 LARGE FIRM ROUND TABLE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF EQUITY, ADVOCACY AND INDUSTRY

Dec 14 CORY HENRY...AT THE INTERSECTION OF DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY

Born into a family legacy of architecture, Jonathan grew up hearing his father—a Black architect— speak about discrimination and a lack of diversity in the profession. Nearly two decades later, Jonathan faced similar struggles in higher education while pursuing both architecture and athletics. As a Black athlete, he leveraged football to pursue architecture, an opportunity to test whether architecture was his passion or family inheritance.

Upon arriving at Cornell University, Jonathan was advised that the demands of playing football and completing his B.Arch would not be possible— he could not do both successfully. Jonathan ventured to prove he could overcome adversity and model a new way of being a student-athlete of color. He played football all four years of his eligibility and became Cornell’s Scholar Athlete of the Year. He later won Cornell’s Bronze Alpha Rho Chi Medal, which recognizes graduating architecture students for leadership and service to the future of the profession.

In 2020, Jonathan became CEO of Moody Nolan, championing the firm’s growth and service to the community. Through Jonathan’s leadership, Moody Nolan has expanded to 12 locations nationwide with 250 professional staff. More significant to Jonathan than the firm’s growth, is the firm’s impact on diverse urban communities. Jonathan believes focused efforts in these communities propel the profession toward empowering and uplifting diverse populations.

Through his career, Jonathan’s work is shaped by his commitment to serving the underserved. He regularly mentors at-risk youth and serves on local boards leading community development projects for low income neighborhoods. In all he does, Jonathan strives to create a more just and equitable future for all.

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🎧 Looking for your next favorite podcast? Join Architecture is Political as we dive deep into conversations with black and brown folks about architecture.

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Architecture students across the country are denouncing systemic racism in academia.  I spoke to Malika Yansaneh and Kelsey Mitchell , members of National Organization of Minority Architects Student (NOMAS) Chapter at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), about the lack of diversity in architectural history, the NAAB statement on racial injustice, student life at Rensselaer as well as the pandemic.  At the time of this recording, both women are pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture degree at RPI.

NAAB Statement on Racial Injustice: https://www.naab.org/naab-statement-on-racial-injustice/

RPI NOMAS Instagram: @nomas_rpi

RPI NOMAS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nomasrpi

Reverend Christopher Tobias is the Executive Director of Hands Up Outreach Ministry (HUOM), a faith-base organization that is meeting the needs of individuals living in underserved communities.  Guided by a servant’s heart, HUOM seeks to empower and strengthen their journey towards an improved quality of life. Hands Up Outreach Ministry has worked extensively with Tyler House through social engagement as well as hosting holiday meals and provide financial literacy programs for the Northwest One neighborhood.

Support Hands Up Outreach Ministry by making a donation at https://www.handsupministry.org/

Primaverarch is a grassroots organization committed to stimulating change for the recognition of women in architecture and related fields. Inspired by the renaissance era and the symbolic idea of spring, Primaverarch is a movement of rebirth, revival, and renewal. Primaverarch is created by four minority-women who recently graduated from the Spitzer School of Architecture at the City College of New York. Throughout their studies, they experienced a lack of professional support, mentorship, and recognition. Without anyone to share similar values in regards to their diverse backgrounds, Primaverarch becomes a catalyst movement dedicated to creating a seat at the table for all women in the field. Blooming into future architects, the team is leading the next movement. With everything they do – from a set of interviews, creative series, mentorships, and interactive workshops, they are focused on one goal: How can they support the future generation of architects?

Social Media and Website:

Instagram: instagram.com/primaverarch

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/primaverarch

Website: primaverarch.org

Nadeen Hassan
Nadeen Hassan is an architectural designer and activist who is committed to making a space for herself and others in the architectural profession. As a first-generation Egyptian-American, Nadeen recognized the unrelenting atmosphere in many parts of the world. She believes that an architect is a problem-solver that attends to the need of not one, but every group of people. Throughout her studies, Nadeen tackles subjects of inclusivity, activism, and social change within her design projects and research. Not having support at the beginning of Nadeen's academic journey motivated her to become that network of support for the next generation.

Chaerin Kim
Chaerin (she/her) is a recent B.Arch graduate and Senior Editor of Primaverarch based in New York. Passionate about the built environment, she is adamant in creating spaces that are inclusive and reflective of the cultures we design for. During her studies at Spitzer School of Architecture, Chaerin engaged in courses focusing on social justice, activism in NYC, and key housing and urban issues in Latin American cities.

Soany Marquez
Soany is a designer, artist, and activist who is interested in architecture as a form of activism and artistic expression. Born in Honduras, she is constantly pushing boundaries in her education focusing on diversity and inclusivity for women. She is aware that architecture can be a powerful tool to pave the way for social reform. As a first-generation architecture graduate, she is dedicated to changing the narrative around minority women in design and construction.

Martha Zambrano

Martha was born and raised in NYC by Venezuelan immigrant parents. She obtained her associate's degree in business administration in 2014 and later her bachelor's degree in architecture in 2020. Both fields have opened her eyes to how unrepresented young women are in predominantly male careers. Teaming up with her classmates and longtime friends, she wants young women in the architecture field to have a platform for support, and encouragement. She hopes young women use this platform to its fullest advantage.

Designing in Color (DCo), a collective of architects and designers of culture. Their mission aims to diversify the way architecture is taught and practiced to amplify marginalized communities who’ve been historically silenced and erased throughout the design process.

​Opalia is a Massachusetts based designer, advocate, and one of the Co-founders of Designing in Color. She enjoys residential architecture, real estate development and community building. In addition to her work as a designer, Opalia’s passions lie in curating spaces of inclusion for quieted voices to collaborate, grow, and enjoy themselves. She is also an avid traveler and is looking forward to her next cultural exchange. She holds a Master of Architecture degree and has studied abroad in both Florence, Italy and Tokyo, Japan.

Rubin is a designer with experience designing movie theaters, industrial, and retail spaces around the States. He is currently working on new projects for a major, globally renowned client. From work with the marketing teams at Taubman College at the University of Michigan - where he earned his Master's in Architecture - to a multitude of graphic design jobs, he has become comfortable at managing branding while creating artistic narratives. In what little spare time he has, Rubin pursues an active art and photography business, selling his works online and doing frequent photoshoots from his home base in Seattle.

Instagram: @designingincolor

Muslim Women in Architecture (MWA) is a network and collective working to empower, inspire and celebrate Muslim women in the architecture and built environment industry. In this episode, I talk to Tahin Khan, Zahra Mansoor and Rim Kalsoum about MWA as it aims to provide a platform to not only support Muslim girls and women who want to pursue a career in the field, but to encourage an open discussion amongst those within the profession and outside.

Tahin Khan is a British Bangladeshi Part 2 Architectural Assistant at ArchitectureDoingPlace. She completed her Part 1 and 2 at the University of Westminster. Over the years, Tahin has worked with a number of architects on projects ranging from private residential to healthcare to the preliminary design for the Tower Hamlets Town Hall. Currently, she is working on several social housing projects for local authorities in London. Tahin understands the importance of communities, and how the wellbeing for an individual correlates to the communities they are a part of. She explored this in depth in her Master’s thesis, which she continues to do research on. Tahin is keen on tackling social, political and environmental issues through architectural interventions.

Zahra Mansoor is an independent architectural designer currently based in India. She met fellow co-founders Rim Kalsoum and Tahin Khan while doing her Part 1 at the University of Westminster. During her term as president of the Westminster architecture Society (WAS), she and Rim organised the AF Megacrit under the theme "Architecture and Power". While studying in London, she realised that the lack of diversity in the industry affected the way students were supported in their education and careers. Her interests include the influence of power and social systems on architectural ethnography as well as the use of digital fabrication in architectural practice.

Rim Kalsoum is a British Syrian Architectural Assistant based in London. Having completed her RIBA PART II at the University of Westminster, she currently works for Golzari NG Architects and Architecture Doing Place. As Ex-Vice President of the Westminster Architecture Society, she co-organised the Megacrit in 2019 with Zahra Mansoor. She is a researcher for Palestine Regeneration Team (PART) and is currently working on a range of research projects, most recently the Secrets of a Digital Garden, in collaboration with RIWAQ which was exhibited at the Chicago Architecture Biennial in 2019 and the Berlin Film Festival in 2020. Her work arches from examining methods of urban landscape annihilation in conflict areas to erosions of public space in London.

In this episode, we talk to G.P. Jacob (Jake Virden) about his podcast, Money. Power. Land. Solidarity.  We discussed economic and urban development, politics, race, the working-class and the Upper Harbor Terminal Development, a project slated for North Minneapolis' riverfront.

Jake Virden is an artist, practitioner of popular education and host of the Money Power Land Solidarity podcast.. Check out the Money Power Land Solidarity podcast on Patreon at:

Patreon.com/MoneyPowerLandSolidarity

Twitter: @gp_jacob @mplspodcast

IG. g.p.jacob @moneypowerlandsolidarity@gmail.com

The design voice of impact and change—Kia Weatherspoon, NCIDQ, ASID, D.F.A (h.c) has spent the last 15 years defying every design stereotype. The most damaging—interior design is a luxury reserved for a few. Her voice, advocacy for Design Equity™, and design practice have shifted the narrative, making interior design a standard for all. Kia is challenging the lack of these standards in economically challenged communities. Her presence and leadership have created ripples, prompting housing developers, agencies, and industry partners in economically challenged communities to not just take notice of her work—but to do better.

A design industry advocate and educator in business leadership, equity, and diversity. Kia is the most decorate black interior designer of her time having been recognized as ICFF Design of the Year, has an Honorary Doctorate from New York School of Interior Design, and ASID National Design for Humanity recipient, a HIP Designer for Good by Interior Design Magazine, CREW Washington, DC Raise Your Voice Awardee, a part of the Washington Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Class and the International Interior Design Association Luna Textile/Anna Hernandez Visionary Award recipient, and among many others.

Kia is adamant change is possible when difficult conversations happen. She has them every day as a female leader of color, speaker, educator, and mentor who exemplifies what’s possible for those who are determined by design.

In the Season 5 premiere, Anna McCorvey RA, LEED AP BD+C talks about inspiring professional journey and her mission-driven work. Anna shares the story behind founding the River East Design Center (REDC) in Southeast D.C., emphasizing its focus on addressing community needs before initiating design projects. She discusses the center's focus on educational outreach and conceptual design services, aiming to empower local residents with crucial information.

Anna also opens up about her role as an Equitable Development Manager at the Building Bridges Across the River (11th Street Bridge Park Project), her fellowship experience with the Goethe Institute and why authentic community engagement is critical to meaningful change. The episode concludes with reflections on her personal backgrounds and shared passion for community-focused design.

Anna McCorvey is a practicing architect in Washington, DC whose initial interest in architecture was spiked at an early age through public housing. At the early age of 5 she noticed the subtle and sometimes flagrant differences between the housing and schools from one part of town to the next. Her desire to understand these differences and address them led her to a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Howard University and a Master of City Planning degree from the University of California Berkeley with a housing and community development emphasis. Upon graduating, she spent 6 years working on affordable and low-income housing developments, schools, day care facilities and recreation centers, many of which were in some of DC’s most underserved communities. With a strengthened commitment to design equity in underserved communities, she founded The River East Design Center (REDC) in 2018. As a nonprofit community design center, REDC is a resource to communities that desire to learn more about architecture and planning and be active in development projects in their neighborhoods.

After designing a mobile retail kiosk for one of the 11th Street Bridge Park’s small business initiatives, Anna was invited to join the 11th Street Bridge Park team as their Senior Equitable Development. In this role, Anna oversees a series of programs designed to prevent displacement in communities surrounding the park by equipping residents and businesses to thrive in future economic changes.

In these various capacities, Anna regularly leads workshops and discussions on community engagement, community centered design, and issues of diversity representation within the design professions. This work awarded her the honor of being a 2021 Public Interest Design Fellow with the DC Public Library and the Goethe Institute and the recipient 2023 Wieb Award for Architecture in the Public Interest.

Anna is a resident of DC’s Anacostia neighborhood and enjoys short runs along the Anacostia River, traveling anywhere she’s never been and Sunday night funk music at JoJo ’s Restaurant.

Get to know Anna_Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTrymkOUdbk

https://dcplpodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/all-things-creative-reimagining-civic-engagement-and-participatory-planning

Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis! Amber Wiley is an Assistant Professor of Art History at Rutgers University. She provided insight on Tyler House neighboring areas like LeDriot Park and Dunbar High School. Born in Oklahoma, Wiley recalls visiting her grandfather in DC which set the foundation of her future works. Professor Wiley research interests center on the social aspects of design and how it affects urban communities - architecture as a literal and figural structure of power. She focuses on the ways local and national bodies have made the claim for the dominating narrative and collective memory of cities and examines how preservation and public history contribute to the creation and maintenance of the identity and sense of place of a city. Her publications cover African American cultural heritage, urbanism in New Orleans, school design, urban renewal, and preservation. Her current book project is entitled Concrete Solutions: Architecture, Activism and Black Power in the Nation’s Capital. Amber was co-Principal Investigator of the National Historic Landmark Nomination Update for the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site. She gave expert testimony for the highly contested Barry Farm historic landmark designation in Washington, DC. She also worked as a consultant for the National Building Museum exhibition “Community Policing in the Nation’s Capital: The Pilot District Project, 1968-1973.” She has served on the National Park System Advisory Board Landmarks Committee, and on the boards of the Vernacular Architecture Forum, Latrobe Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians, and the Yale Black Alumni Association Amber received her Ph.D. in American Studies from George Washington University. She also holds a Master's in Architectural History and Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Virginia School of Architecture, and a B.A. in Architecture from Yale University. Links: Website: https://ambernwiley.com/ “The Dunbar High School Dilemma,” Giving Preservation a History: Histories of Historic Preservation in the United States, 2 ed. Edited by Max Page and Randall Mason (London, New York, NY: Routledge, 2019) “A Model School for a Model City: Shaw Junior High School as a Monument to Planning Reform,” Designing Schools: Space, Place and Pedagogy. Edited by Julie Willis and Kate Darian-Smith (London, New York, NY: Routledge, 2017): 158-174 “A Modern-Day WPA,” Bending the Future: Fifty Ideas for the Next Fifty Years of Historic Preservation in the United States. Edited by Max Page and Marla R. Miller (Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 2016): 261-264 “Geography, Planning, and Performing Mobility in New Orleans,” Walking in Cities: Quotidian Mobility as Urban Theory, Method, and Practice. Edited by Timothy Shortell and Evrick Brown (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2016): 177-196

At the AIA Conference on Architecture 2022, Architecture is Political Podcast joined Tangible Remnants host Nakita Reed AIA, to chat all things NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects) with Pascale Sablan FAIA, NOMA, LEED AP and Tiffany Brown MBA, NOMA, Assoc. AIA. In this episode, Tiffany talks about how she was offered the position as Executive Director and the benefits of joining NOMA. To listen to Pascale’s interview, please check out the Tangible Remnants podcast.

Tiffany D. Brown is the Executive Director of the National Organization of Minority Architects. Brown is a co-founder of the Urban Arts Collective, a nonprofit focused on increasing underrepresented groups in careers in science, technology, engineering, art and architecture, and mathematics. Brown is a passionate leader within NOMA and the architecture industry, recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) with 2020 Associates Awards for outstanding leadership and creative thinking in her communities and the architecture profession. She was awarded the AIA Detroit and Michigan honors in 2019. Brown held national NOMA board leadership positions and is also a founding member of NOMA Detroit. Brown created 400 FORWARD, which aims to seek the next 400 women architects with an underlying focus on African American girls through access to education on design through provided programming and scholarships. Her work with the organization was recently featured in a new documentary in partnership with Target, “Design for All.” Previously, she worked at SmithGroup and Hamilton Anderson Associates in Detroit. Brown earned her B.Arch, M.Arch and MBA from Lawrence Technological University.

Isabella Segalovich is a Philadelphia-based artist, designer, writer, and TikTokker. Her work focuses on anti-authoritarian art history, on topics such as cultural appropriation and erasure, the racism ingrained in modern design, and underappreciated art forms such as folk art, embroidery, and graffiti. Follow her on TikTok and on Instagram @interstellar_isabellar

Article : https://hyperallergic.com/712418/searching-for-a-more-inclusive-history-of-ornament/

Kelly Beamon has spent 18 years producing architecture and design content, with focuses on historic house styles, building materials, and kitchen and bath trends for Architectural Record, This Old House, Interior Design, Surface and HD magazine. An additional area of constant research and curiosity has been the impact of the A&D community on such issues as affordable housing, building decarbonization, design education, and the schools-to-practice pipeline. Ms. Beamon’s work has been referenced by the New York Times, ABC News, and USA Today. She is currently senior editor for Metropolis magazine. Why Aren’t Black Firms Working on Memorials to Slavery? IG: https://www.instagram.com/architectural_material_girl CORRECTION: Ahoskie is in North Carolina, not Virginia. Become an insider by supporting the show at https://glow.fm/archispolly where you can support the show on a recurring or one-time basis!

Through her first love, Architecture, Dominican-born and raised designer and entrepreneur Ellen Abraham aims to push the needle forward.  This MBA graduate and Senior Project Technical Lead at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, nurtures her passions through leading various community-building initiatives, design-based philanthropy and high impact social justice & design advocacy projects. She co-founded and co-leads a new initiative at SOM called the Equity Design Lab. Ellen currently serves on the NYCOBA NOMA Board focused on finance management for the NY chapter, the Architexx Board focused on gender equity and the historic & landmarked Ephesus Church campus Board in NYC, as Building Committee Chairwoman, where she leads a 15-member committee. She is the Founder of Architect Pins & Elle Abōd, two companies focused on the celebration of diverse design identities and the promotion of BIPOC Architect and Designer Guest Editors, respectively. Links: Architect Pins Website: https://www.architectpins.com/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/architectpins/ Elle Abod IG: https://www.instagram.com/elleabod/ Professional Contact LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenabraham/

Michelle L. Browder is a renowned artist and activist who has made a significant impact on her community. Her monument of Anarcha, Lucy and Betsy are three women who were subjected to medical experiments by Dr. J. Marion Sims (also known as the Father of Gynecology). With the acquisition of a historic site in Montgomery, Alabama, previously used for medical experimentation on slaves, Browder plans to create a museum and teaching clinic focused on reproductive health, and your generous contribution can help bring this visionary project to fruition.

Browder's dedication to social justice and equality has earned her widespread recognition. She owns and operates More Than Tours, a social enterprise that provides educational and interactive tours to students and tourists exposing the rich and sometimes haunting history of Montgomery, Alabama.