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NOMA Receives Whitney Young Jr. Award
Organization honored for promoting profession and increasing diversity

by Heather Livingston
Contributing Editor, AIArchitect

Summary: The AIA Board of Directors on December 7 selected the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) as the recipient of the 2007 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, given to an architect or organization that exemplifies the profession’s responsibility to society. The award honors the contributions of Whitney Young Jr., outspoken civil rights activist and head of the Urban League from 1961 until his death in 1971. At the 1968 AIA national conference, Young shamed the audience of architects for their social reticence and challenged them to become a positive force for social change, saying, “You are not a profession that has distinguished itself by your social and civic contributions to the cause of civil rights. You are most distinguished by your thunderous silence and your complete irrelevance.”

NOMA’s nomination was submitted by the Boston Society of Architects and supported by six previous Whitney M. Young Jr. Award recipients. In her letter of nomination, Jane Weinzapfel, FAIA, partner of the 2007 AIA Firm Award recipient Leers Weinzapfel, writes, “Although we have repeatedly acknowledged the relative homogeneity of our profession and our commitment to diversify it, we have failed to [increase significantly the number of African-American architects].” Thirty-eight years after Young’s call for action and 35 years after its creation, NOMA was selected for its unfailing dedication to promoting the architecture profession with the goal of increasing diversity among practitioners.

Preeminent voice for minority architects
NOMA was formed to address the existence and impact of racism during the late 1960s and ’70s and acknowledge how socio-economic conditions negatively influence the built environment of poor and oppressed Americans. In 1971, at the AIA national convention, 12 African-American architects formed NOMA to voice dissatisfaction with the status quo and begin the task of equalizing the opportunities and design practices of black architects. Thirty-five years later, NOMA remains the preeminent voice for minority architects.

“NOMA has given greater visibility to African-American architects, provided ‘role-models’ for students, and informed the general public,” says J. Max Bond, FAIA, in his letter of support for NOMA. “Through the establishment of student chapters and by inviting students to attend its meetings, NOMA has helped young people learn about and become members of the profession.” Indeed, NOMA’s commitment to students of color interested in pursuing careers in architecture may prove to be the organization’s greatest legacy.

NOMA’s commitment to students of color interested in pursuing careers in architecture may prove to be the organization’s greatest legacy

The annual National Organization of Minority Architects Students (NOMAS) Student Design Competition has become the coveted award among minority architecture students across the country. The unique program highlights a cultural aspect, historic figure, or significant location that likely won’t be found in other design competitions, but the camaraderie and interaction among other architecture students and professionals is the compelling factor. The NOMA Conference provides students the opportunity to interact with professional architects for portfolio review, advice, internships, and career guidance. Conference seminars offer interns insight on the Architecture Registration Exam, Intern Development Program, portfolio development, interview skills, and resume writing. NOMA also has held a regional ARE preparation program for interns.

Career choice awareness
Additionally, NOMA has begun to make inroads in primary education to make minority youth, and their parents, aware of architecture as a career choice. NOMA has financially supported organizations like Chicago-based ADventure Program, which introduces minority disadvantaged students to architecture and the built environment. NOMA also partnered with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to support their National Afro-Academic Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) Competition for high school students interested in architecture.

Today we are present and accountable in the AIA

“Architectural students of color gravitate to NOMA because of its sensitivity to their needs,” says Leon Bridges, FAIA, FNOMA, in his letter of support. “NOMA’s membership is small, but its striving for excellence for minority architects continues to increase in its intensity. NOMA’s mere presence provides hope to hundreds of graduating minority architects for their inclusion in an otherwise, still, white-dominated profession.”

Adds NOMA cofounder Van B. Bruner Jr., FAIA: “Over 30 years have [passed] now and NOMA has and is realizing those goals created by the group in the ’70s. Today we are present and accountable in the AIA. Our dream has taken flight. We have contributed to the AIA and America a segment of our society that would have been lost were it not for NOMA.”

(1/2/2007)

Reprinted from AIArchitect 12/15/06 with permission

MOODY•NOLAN CAPTURES AIA GOLD MEDAL FIRM OF THE YEAR

(Columbus, Ohio) – Moody•Nolan, Inc. received the 2006 Gold Medal Firm of the Year Award from the Ohio Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) at its annual conference in Youngstown, Ohio, in September.

Comments from the jury included, “The quality of design stood out and was evident across a variety of building types. The firm has demonstrated responsibility to the profession. They are viewed as a role model for all firms and not only for minority firms.”

The Gold Medal Firm of the Year Award is the highest honor that AIA Ohio bestows on an architectural firm. This award is given annually to a practice the AIA deems to have consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years. Firms have been recognized with this achievement since 1984.

“It is the coming together of this outstanding group of people, and especially their ability to engage in productive collaborations with exceptional clients and consultants, that have afforded us this unprecedented opportunity. We are honored to be the recipient of this truly prestigious award,” exclaimed Curtis J. Moody, founder, president and CEO of Moody•Nolan.

Moody•Nolan was founded in 1982 by Moody, FAIA, and Howard E. Nolan, PE. The firm has grown steadily and today is the largest African American owned and operated architecture/engineering firm in the country. In its 24 years, Moody•Nolan has received over 110 citations for design excellence from local, state and national organizations.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Moody•Nolan is a 136-person firm with offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Nashville and Kansas City, Missouri. The professional services provided by the firm include architecture, civil engineering and interior design. Select recent projects for the firm include the AIA award winning University of Illinois Chicago West Campus Sports and Fitness Facility, Fisk University Cravath Hall, Ithaca College New Athletics and Events Center and The Ohio State University Recreation and Physical Activity Center.

(12/20/2006)

Kliment article on African-American Architects

AIArchitect published the second in the monthly series by Steve Kliment on a history of African American architects. This month’s installment is The Trailblazers.

"Summary: From the time Africans first came to America in 1619, there is evidence of their significant contributions to the built environment of the New World, notes Stephen Kliment in this second installment to his series on diversity in American architecture. He traces that trajectory to the current era, including specific tribute to six noted architects of the 20th century."

The summary

The narrative PDF

The profiles PDF

Please send comments or opinions about the article to Doug Gordon at dgordon@aia.org

(11/13/2006)

KNTM Projects Featured on TV One

KNTM Architects of East Orange, New Jersey, will be featured on 4 upcoming episodes of a television show called Divine Restoration. Divine Restoration is a very special "home renovation" program. Instead of remodeling individual residences, they are making over small to midsize African American churches in need of upgrade or repair.

KNTM Architects partner, Karen Nichols and her team, designed 4 different projects located in Newark which will air on TVOne every Sunday at 1:00 pm during October (10/8, 10/15, 10/22, & 10/29). It also repeats throughout the week on Wednesday mornings @ 9:30 am, Saturday mornings @ 9:00 am, and Sunday mornings @ 6:00 a.m.

Please check your local cable guide to find your TVOne channel and join us in watching the shows:

Episode 201: Greater Harvest Church - New Computer Room & Rehearsal Space

Episode 202: Hands of Woman Ministry – Women’s Center

Episode 203: St. James AME Church – Fellowship Hall & AV Center

Episode 204: 1st Mount Zion Church – New Entry Lobby

You can visit TV One Online > Shows to find out more amount the shows and schedule.

(10/18//2006)

NOMA announces new member benefit

Computer Discount Warehouse (CDW) and NOMA have partnered to create a discount program for NOMA members. The discount varies and includes hardware and software. You must be a current paid member in order to take advantage of the program. Download announcement.

(9/5/2006)