KIMBERLY DOWDELL: I had not set a goal of becoming AIA President before I was encouraged to run in 2021. I completed my two-year term as NOMA President and I was honestly looking forward to taking some time to focus on my personal life. It became clear that I had some unfinished business in the realm of organizational leadership, and specifically through AIA, which had not ever elected a Black woman as president. I accepted the challenge of running for this position in 2022 because I firmly believe that representation matters. If we want to see more Black women enter this profession, then we need to see more Black women in the highest levels of leadership. Beyond representation, I have a proven track record of impactful leadership spanning three decades of experience. I have been most surprised by the level of scrutiny that I have encountered compared to my predecessors this year.
Arguing with Brick Walls and Burning Buildings
I was asked to weigh in on an issue that has consumed much of my professional life and intellectual energy. Some of my thoughts on this are more well-documented than others, but all stem from a deep understanding of how architecture shapes our...