January 10, 2017
New York, NY, January 10, 2017 – The Center for Architecture is excited to announce its first exhibition of 2017, SAY IT LOUD: Distinguished Black Designers of NYCOBA | NOMA, organized in collaboration with the New York Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NYCOBA | NOMA). Curated by Pascale Sablan, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP, 2015-2016 President of NYCOBA | NOMA, and designed by Manuel Miranda Practice, the exhibition will open at the Center for Architecture on Thursday, January 26 at 6:00 PM.
The approximately 2,090 licensed African American architects in the United States represent only 2 percent of the total population of the country’s licensed architects. Moreover, the achievements of these individuals are seldom recognized. Over the past two years, NYCOBA | NOMA’s Membership Highlight Initiative has put the spotlight on architects and allied professionals of color, as well as their impacts on the architecture and design fields and the community at large.
SAY IT LOUD: Distinguished Black Designers of NYCOBA | NOMA will feature these highlighted members, along with winners of the Jumaane Omar Stewart Award for New York City high school students and the NYCOBA | NOMA Diversity in the School of Architecture Award. The exhibition will feature projects by the 20 designers, as well as quotes and video interviews on their experiences in the architecture and design professions. Featured professionals include Mark Gardner, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP, Principal, Jaklitsch/Gardner Architects; Yolande Daniels, NOMA, Co-founding Design Principal, studioSUMO; and Roberta Washington, FAIA, NOMA, Principal, Roberta Washington Architects, who will also contribute a timeline of the history of black architects in New York.
“We should support institutions that inform society at large about the architectural contributions by people of diverse backgrounds to encourage others to join,” said Rodney Leon, AIA, NOMA, Principal of Rodney Leon Architects, who is featured in the exhibition. “The profession should do all it can to reflect the society it represents.”
“Our faces will be seen, our voices heard, our work will be recognized and our impact shall be felt,” said Pascale Sablan.
“AIANY is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the profession,” said Benjamin Prosky, Assoc. AIA, Executive Director of AIANY and the Center for Architecture. “The Center for Architecture is proud to partner with NYCOBA | NOMA to recognize the work of a range of minority designers, from students to established architects.”
SAY IT LOUD: Distinguished Black Designers of NYCOBA | NOMA is presented in collaboration with NYCOBA | NOMA.
This exhibition was made by possible by the generous support of the following sponsor: FXFOWLE
About NYCOBA | NOMA
The New York Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) is an association comprised of architects, designers, and allied professionals dedicated to creating a more diverse and inclusive design industry. While there have been some successes garnered by minority architects and designers, a tremendous need still remains to ensure that the design of our communities and future design leaders more readily represent our multi-cultural society. NYCOBA | NOMA’s ongoing goal is to champion diversity within the design professions by promoting excellence, community engagement, and the professional development of its members. NYCOBA | NOMA engages the public with their mission to champion diversity within and outside of the design profession by promoting and raising the visibility of the work created by minority architects and designers who are sole practitioners, owners of both small and large firms, architecture and planning professors, commissioners of city agencies, members of City planning boards and committees, and AIA Fellows.
NYCOBA | NOMA was originally formed in 1970 as the New York Coalition of Black Architects (NYCOBA) and later joined with NOMA in 1992 to become the national organization’s New York Chapter. NYCOBA | NOMA supports the interests of professionals, educators, and students engaged in the process of designing at all career levels.
About the Center for Architecture
The Center for Architecture is the premier cultural venue for architecture and the built environment in New York City, informed by the complexity of the City’s urban fabric and in dialogue with the global community. The Center shares a home with the AIA New York Chapter and has the unique advantage of drawing upon the ideas and experiences of practicing architects to produce thought-provoking exhibitions, informative public programs, and quality design education experiences for K-12 students. It also leads New York City’s annual month-long architecture and design festival, Archtober. The Center for Architecture’s aim is to further public knowledge about New York City architecture and architects, foster exchange and collaboration among members of the design, development, building, scholarly, and policy sectors, and inspire new ideas about the role of design in communities by presenting contemporary and practical issues in architecture and urbanism to a general audience. http://cfa.aiany.org