Celebrating Black History Month

AIA champions a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the profession of architecture to create a better environment for all, and believes that achieving this vision has a direct impact on the relevance of our profession and the world's prosperity, health, and future. At AIA Seattle we share this vision and celebrate the contributions of Black architects and designers to our profession.

We are also committed to a process of transparency in what measurable actions we are taking in pursuit of racial justice. We have established an evolving list for the sake of mutual accountability in our member-led organization. Read the full evolving list of Racial Justice commitments here.

Organization Updates:

As a corollary to our 2019 Intercultural Leadership Program, AIA Seattle is partnering with NOMA NW and Planning in Color to develop a firm leadership cohort for 2021, focused on architecture (and allied) firm culture change. Through peer-based learning, this group will develop and share with one another best practices to meet the objectives laid out in the NOMA NW Call-to-Action. Stay tuned for details – this program is scheduled for May.
Last November, the AIA Seattle Board approved the formation of a JE:DI task force. The intent of this group is to facilitate actionable change in making the profession of architecture within our local community more equitable, just, anti-racist and truly inclusive.Task Force Members include: Rob Misel AIA of Miller Hull and Whitney Lewis Assoc. AIA of GGLO (current co-chairs), Amarpreet Sethi, Michele Hill AIA, Michelle Yates Assoc. AIA, Osama Quotah AIA, and Susan Frieson AIA.

Diversity Roundtable Committee Updates:

The “Diversity by Design” exhibition is being updated for 2021, and will be displayed on screens at King Street Station in August. Submissions are still being accepted here.
While “Architects in Schools” program is currently on pause, DRT is working with the Wild Students in collaboration with Sawhorse Revolution, virtually mentoring high school students about the design and build process. In the Spring, they will transform the design of the Garden Shed for Danny Woo Gardens into a set of construction documents that the students can build.
Follow Diversity Roundtable’s Architecture Spotlights campaign this month on Instagram. @drt_aiaseattle

NOMA Updates:

NOMA National, with the help of spatial activist and founder of Kulima Design, Prescott Reavis, is curating a month of Black history in architecture spotlights on Instagram .
NOMA is saddened to report that last founding member of NOMA, Jeh Johnson AIA passed away recently. More info here.
NOMA partners with Black Spectacles to ease licensure process for minority architects.
In Portland? @NOMAPDX will have their first meeting on February 16, 4:30-6:00 pm

Events and resources throughout the month of February and beyond:

Black History Month Virtual Festival exploring this year’s theme theme of The Black Family, Representation, Identity and Diversity. February 1 – 28.
Be in the know about upcoming NOMA Seattle events on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or their website.
The AIA Guides for Equitable Practice are a resource to help ensure organizations meets professional and cultural awareness expectations of employees and clients.
#28BlackArchitectsIn28Days is an annual series highlighting the accomplishments of African American architects during Black History Month.
Fireclay Tile has partnered with the Architecture Foundation to sponsor a Diversity Advancement Scholarship to support Black Women in Architecture. More information here on ways to donate!
And of course, join Diversity Roundtable! The Diversity Roundtable attracts, retains and empowers individuals of underrepresented backgrounds in the profession of architecture through scholarship, community service and activism. DRT meets (virtually until further notice) the first Tuesday of every month at 5pm.