Gary J. Nelson receives AIA Arizona Medal, First African American to receive the recognition

Gary J. Nelson Receiving Medal
Gary J. Nelson, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, Receives the AIA Arizona Architects Medal from AIA Arizona President Kathy Hancox, AIA.

By AIA Arizona

The Arizona architecture community gathered at the Phoenix Art Museum on Saturday, November 12, 2022, to celebrate the impressive list of talented winners and honorees of the 2022 AIA Arizona Design Awards! 

Gary J. Nelson received the AIA Arizona Architects Medal, the first African American to receive the medal since its inception in 1981. The award honors and celebrates members who have advanced the profession of architecture, recognizing their outstanding professional achievements and sense of social responsibility. The nominee’s achievements must be viewed as an advancement of the profession. Nelson’s work within the AIA Arizona community and NOMA has impacted the Arizona built environment.

Gary J. Nelson is a graduate of Hampton University and is a registered architect in 20 states with a professional focus on municipal and sports facilities. He is the founder and first President of NOMAarizona. He led to NOMA’s expansion in the West Region as NOMA West Region Vice President. In response to address discrimination after the George Floyd murder in 2020, Nelson developed and led NOMAarizona’s Call To Action, which began the discussion with firms on how to address and eliminate racial, gender, and LGTBQ+ harassment and discrimination in the design and construction profession.

Gary J. Nelson 1
Gary J. Nelson, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, with AIA and NOMA Members