This month, we want to show up for our black community by focusing the upcoming line up on interviews with black women. In addition, we are also revisiting the interviews that we have published in the past. We believe strongly that the first step in standing behind our colleagues is to listen to what they have to say and then to share it - and the first step for you is to read, take note of what's important to them, and then share, and encourage your communities to share as well.
The topics covered in these interviews are expansive - race, of course, but also thoughtful and rigorous design, finance in architecture, entrepreneurship, firm management, company culture, urban engagement, city planning, and construction. These are stories told from New York City, Boston, Detroit, and Chicago, to Washington DC, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Miami. Given that it is June, a month to celebrate Pride, we are also including interviews that honor the intersection of both the black and the LGBTQ+ communities.
The range of stories demonstrate the significant depth and breath with which black women contribute to the architecture and design community all over the United States (and beyond). These perspectives have always been, are, and will continue to be crucial. This collection is just a start, and we are committed to learning, reading, researching, donating, and organizing further, so that, as Gabrielle Bullock put it, "this little thing called architecture, that started out in this cocoon, be blown apart to be more universal, accessible, multi-cultural, multi-colored, multi-everything."
First in June:
Kia Weatherspoon, Founder of Determined by Design
"My military experience was pivotal. But also, my brother was incarcerated for fifteen years. I would visit him, and I remember that it was the most undignified and disheartening experience I had to endure. At one point, I began to question - what is this experience like for a child? The staff? The men who were imprisoned?
All these moments led me to a field I did not even know existed. For my undergraduate thesis at Moore College of Art & Design, I examined a male prison facility. All my classmates did hotels, retail, and restaurants. I knew then my path in the profession was meant to be different. These experiences also keep me on a path of making interior spaces equitable for everyone."
In her interview, Kia talks about the experiences that led her to design, the values that guide her and her firm, and the advice she has for the industry at large, and for women.
Also in June:
Maya Bird-Murphy
Maya Bird-Murphy is an architectural designer, educator, and maker from Oak Park, Illinois. She is also the founder and Executive Director of Chicago Mobile Makers, an award-winning nonprofit organization bringing design-focused skill-building workshops to underrepresented communities. Maya believes that architecture should not be a privilege and must expand to accommodate more people through teaching and community engagement. She loves Chicago and hopes to make her mark by making it a more equitable place to live. In her free time, she can be found outside by the Chicago River with her two dogs.
Vernelle A. A. Noel
Vernelle A. A. Noel is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She investigates computational design, culture, and society through traditional and technological ways of making by building new tools, methodologies and theories to examine and express their relationships. Noel holds a Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University, an MS from MIT, a B.Arch from Howard University, and a Diploma in Civil Engineering from the John S. Donaldson Technical Institute. She is a TED Speaker, conducts design workshops across the globe, and has practiced as an architect in the USA, India, and Trinidad & Tobago.
From the Archives:
If you haven't already, please read and share these stories, and encourage others to do the same:
Re-Emergence: Nina Cooke John on Urban Engagement, Developing a Skill Set, and Pursuing it All in Turn
Nina talks about her experiences as an architect, an academic, and a mother, advising those just starting their careers to remember that there are many ways to be an architect.
AphroChic: Jeanine Hays on Being at Home and Creating Supportive Spaces
Jeanine talks about how the brand came to be, and advises us on how we can make our home a place for self-expression as well as a space that uplifts and supports.
Dream the Combine: Jennifer Newsom on Direct Experiences, Interpersonal Ties, and Showing Up
Jennifer talks about the foundations and focus of her practice and finding a city to run it from, advising young architects to own their agency and continue to show up.
Tools & Tiaras: Judaline Cassidy on Working in Construction, Starting a Non-Profit, and Building Confidence in Girls
Judaline talks about making her way through apprenticeship and her mission to make young girls confident from the get go.
Defining Success: Chris-Annmarie Spencer on a New Life, Work Ethic, and Empathy
Chris-Ann talks about starting over in a new country and empathizing with her clients, advising those just starting out to know what their purpose is in the field.
A Quintessential Leader: Gabrielle Bullock on Perception, Innovation, and Disrupting the Cocoon
Gabrielle talks about honing her communication style as a leader and her hopes for the industry, advising those just starting their careers to work for the firms where they see others like them.
All In: Kimberly Dowdell on Bringing People Together and Diversity of Thought
Kimberly describes the issues facing all of the cities she has worked in, and how her various roles in the built environment support her larger mission, advising young architects to find a mentor, and to be a mentor themselves.
Thorough Curiosity: Jean Brownhill of Sweeten on Embracing Diversity and Realizing Dreams
Jean talks about her drive to embrace inclusion and diversity at every corner and scale of the company, and her drive to realize all people's dreams for the most intimate spaces in their lives.
Open Doors: Bolanle Williams-Olley on Finance in Architecture, Parallel Pursuits, and the Power of Relationships
Bola talks about building her career in the finance side of architecture, and her work with her various social-impact organizations.
Two-Hundred Percent: Sandra Madison on Flexibility, Camaraderie, and Passion
Sandra speaks about firm ownership and the flexibility that mothers need, advising young architects to take it easy on themselves and to find what is fun for them.
Always in Motion: Amina Blacksher on Foundations, Reflections, and Expression
Amina speaks about building a foundation and gaining the most out of every experience, advising young architects to just take that first step and never second guess.
Ready to Launch: Jha D Williams on Fulfilling a Legacy and on Saying Yes
Jha D speaks about belonging and creating opportunities for herself, advising young architects to say yes often and to diversify their professional experiences.
Changing the Game: Mitch McEwen on Global Architecture, Process, and Recklessness
Mitch about her unique background in finance, the power that architects hold, and their ability to change the game, advising young architects to take advantage of being able to be reckless early on.
Less is More: Samantha Josaphat on Focus, Determination, and Relationship Building
Samantha talks about the decision to start her own firm and her "less is more" and "brick by brick" approaches, advising young architects to pay careful attention to the questions your mentors and project leaders are asking at work.
I Am: Elease Samms on Filling Gaps, Giving Back, and Being That Which You Wish to See
Elease speaks about filling gaps, giving back, and increasing representation, encouraging anyone interested in architecture to know that the field is always open to them.
Following Joy: Danei Cesario on Healthcare, Motherhood, and Career Wellness
Danei talks about fostering mentorship, sponsorship and leadership within the diverse design community in New York
City as they navigate their careers within architecture and beyond.
Enthusiasm and Effort: Jess Myers on Staying Critical and Learning on the Fly
Jessica talks about her varied experiences, advising young architects to get their hands dirty and not be too precious about their work.
Days With:
Spend a day with these architects (and a CFO!), and encourage others to as well:
A Day with HOK and NOMA's Kimberly Dowdell
Kim walks us through a day of working from home during quarantine and going digital with what would typically be a day of meetings, speaking engagements, and travel.
A Day with Mancini Duffy's Bolanle Williams-Olley
Bola walks us through her day, which involves pre-planned workouts, commute content planning, and activity playlists for her two kiddos.
A Day With Atelier Amina's Amina Blacksher
Amina's day involves working from The Wing, her focus on robotics, Citi Bike, and yoga.
A Day with Studio 397's Samantha Josaphat
Samantha's day involved a run in Prospect Park, volunteer initiatives, marketing tasks for her firm, and an aroma diffuser to transition into a good night's rest.
A Day With WALLEN+daub's Danei Cesario
Danei's day involves a wake-up call from her two daughters, a commute podcast, a flex hours policy, and late evening catch-ups.
As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts, as well as recommendations for who else we should interview. Please get in touch at hello@madamearchitect.org
