A Leader for Black Architects Imagines a Future After Trump

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Bryan C. Lee Jr., the president of the National Organization of Minority Architects, is standing by his racial justice vision for design. Photographer: Matt Kleinmann Photography

By Brentin Mock

The turmoil of the Trump administration’s attacks on diversity and federal funding has been weighing heavily on Bryan C. Lee Jr., president of the National Organization of Minority Architects.

While many organizations around him are toning down their rhetoric and work in the face of funding loss and other threats, Lee is committed to asserting a stronger vision than ever for a more equitable design and architecture future.

“We recognize that the actions we are seeing are meant to instill fear, disillusionment, mindsets of scarcity, and a withdrawal from taking action against the most oppressive and harmful systems in our society,” wrote Lee in an April 4 letter to NOMA members. “However, as we witness the deliberate dismantling of systems and attempts to erase important cultural history, there is an opportunity, especially for us as architects and designers, to be visionary.”

Protest is at the center of Lee’s practice and leadership model: In addition to his new role as president of NOMA, Lee is also the director of the New Orleans-based architecture firm Colloqate Design, which works to center community organizing and racial justice advocacy in the design process.